Lohkologoja

Lohkologoja is a term used in Finnish geomorphology to describe a blocky valley or gorge associated with bedrock fragmentation. The name derives from lohko, meaning block, and logoja, a plural suffix referring to channels or gorges. In different sources the precise meaning may vary, but lohkologoja generally refers to bedrock-dominated landscapes where large rock blocks control the shape of a valley and where erosion concentrates along the constricted corridors between blocks.

Formation and processes: Loosely, lohkologoja form when joints and fractures in resistant bedrock create a grid of blocks. Frost weathering and mechanical breakage detach blocks, while flowing water, rivers, or meltwater exploit the spaces between blocks, enlarging channels. The result is a valley or gorge with relatively steep, rectangular profiles aligned with the bedrock structure.

Distribution and usage: The term is most commonly found in Finnish geological and geomorphological literature and is used mainly to describe features on the Fennoscandian Shield and similar terrains where crystalline rocks predominate. In international contexts, similar landforms might be described with terms such as “block valley” or “rock-channel system.” The concept may appear with varying definitions across regional studies.

See also: Finnish geomorphology, block valley, rock-channel system.