Gorges

A gorge is a narrow, deep valley with steep, exposed bedrock walls created mainly by the erosive action of a river as it cuts downward through a landscape. Gorges are typically narrower and more vertical than canyons, and their walls rise sharply beside a flowing watercourse. The term varies by region and is sometimes used interchangeably with canyon.

Most gorges form when a river sustains incision as land is uplifted, producing a steep bedrock channel. Downcutting deepens the valley, while lateral erosion and mass wasting widen the walls over time. Waterfalls and rapids may retreat upstream, enlarging the gorge. In arid regions, slot canyons—extremely narrow gorges—develop mainly through fast, episodic floods eroding fractured rock.

Notable examples include Fish River Canyon in Namibia and Verdon Gorge in France, both known for dramatic vertical walls. The Columbia River Gorge in the United States is another well-known example. Gorges expose bedrock and stratigraphy, support unique microhabitats, and attract tourism, but they can be hazardous due to rock falls and sudden floods.

Terminology varies; some geographers reserve gorge for narrow, tight passages and reserve canyon for wider valleys, though usage overlaps by region.