The most beautiful geological objects of the planet, directly proving the saying that water sharpens a stone. Translated from Spanish, “canyon” means “pipe”, “gorge”. In the modern sense, these are deep river valleys, with steep cliffs, the bottom of which is completely occupied by the river. We will go on a short trip to find out where on the planet the water has formed the deepest canyon in the world. So, before you are the deepest canyons of the planet.
11
Greenland Canyon / 800 meters
The starting point of our trip will be icy Greenland, where a unique geological object is located. In 2013, scientists from several Canadian and British universities discovered a canyon under the ice, the length of which is 750 kilometers.
It turns out that it is the longest among similar gorges of the planet, but its depth is 800 meters. In the widest place, the distance between the rocks is 10 kilometers. All this was found out thanks to the radar, which was carried out from the air.
Conducted scientific research has allowed to collect and process a large array of information. So, scientists have found that about 4 million years ago, a huge river flowed along the bottom, which then formed the ice sheet of Greenland.
10
Tara River Canyon / 1,300 m
From icy Greenland we will go to the north of Montenegro, where for many kilometers one of the most picturesque canyons on Earth stretches. It is an integral part of the Durmitor National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List,
Note that Tara is the longest river of a small East European state. But the depth of the gorge formed by its channel is 1,300 meters. In 1937, engineers managed to throw a bridge across the deepest canyon in Europe. At that time, it became the only road that connected the south and north of the country.
Exclusive sightseeing tours are organized here to discover the scenic spots, and thousands of rafting enthusiasts come together every summer.
9
Blyde River Canyon / 1 372 m
The geological wonder of South Africa cuts through the Motlets Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga Province. The depth of the Blyde River is 1,372 meters, and it itself is part of the large basalt mountain system Drakensberg, known as the Dragon Mountains.
The canyon stretches for 25 kilometers, and the average depth of steep cliffs is 750 meters. Tropical trees and plants form small forests in the gorge. The contrast of green spaces against the background of red puffed rocks makes the valley one of the most beautiful on the planet.
Scenic views open onto the valley from viewing platforms equipped throughout the canyon. Throughout many unusual places, among which stands out a tall pillar of Pinnacle quartz, as well as a cascade of four waterfalls.
8
Grand Canyon / 1,600 m
The theBiggest editors are sure that everyone on the planet has heard of this place. Many of you were surprised at his beauty in the photographs, some saw him live. In the US state of Arizona, every tourist can see an unusual corner of nature. Here, for millions of years, the Colorado River has made its way through monolithic rock sediments.
In the formation of beautiful and unusual landscapes, the water helped the wind, creating a bizarre form of rock. The depth of the Grand Canyon in the United States is 1,600 meters, and it stretches for 446 kilometers. The deep and narrow snake of the gorge attracts tourists from different countries and continents with its beauty.
Over the past decades, scientists have been able to find out why the Colorado River has cut so bizarre rocks. The bottom is formed by granite rocks, which are destroyed much more slowly than the upper rocks erode.
7
Copper / 1 879 m
It is located in Mexico and makes up an amazing mountain system of four, interconnected gorges. It covers an area of over 60,000 km² and a maximum depth of 1,879 meters.
Scientists have discovered that a network of gorges formed around 20 million years as a result of a gigantic tectonic shift. Indigenous peoples of Central America lived on this territory, having left a rich cultural and archaeological heritage.
Small groups of Indians still live here, carving dwellings right in the rocks. But civilization has reached this wild corner of nature. There is a railway line nearby, and trains make a stop so that passengers enjoy the local beauties.
6
Sulaksky / 1 920 m
Photo by: Alexander Sobolev / CC BY-SA
The canyon in Dagestan is the deepest in Russia. It is located near the republican capital in the picturesque valley of the Sulak River.
Its length is 53 kilometers, and the depth in the deepest place is 1 920 meters. One of the most amazing and visited natural attractions of Dagestan. For ease of viewing, several viewing platforms are equipped here. Each offers gorgeous views of sheer cliffs, the bed of a mountain river. The most convenient is the site near the settlement of Dubki.
Everyone can book a boat trip on the river. You can feel all the grandeur of a beautiful and great natural miracle from the surface of the river, as well as enjoy the azure color of the river.
5
Jumping Tiger Gorge / 3,000 m
The gorge shown in the photo was formed thanks to two mountain systems in the southwestern part of China. In the deepest place, the depth reaches 3,000 meters.
As always, the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom associate a beautiful legend with the object of nature, which gave the name to the canyon. It is believed that the tiger, hiding from cruel hunters, jumped over a fault in the mountains in two jumps. Beautiful, but the question is, how in two jumps? For many years, the Leaping Tiger was impassable, and all attempts to investigate ended in the death of scientists.
Luck smiled at a group of researchers who in 1986 were able to descend from sheer cliffs and conducted research. In 1993, an amazing place was officially opened for tourists.
4
Cola / 3,400 m
Peru has many natural and historical sights, among which the beautiful Andean Gorge stands out, the name of which translates as "barn with grain."
The depth in several places reaches 3,400 meters, and it stretches to a length of 90 kilometers. The cliffs of pre-Indo-American America were the first to live on the rocks. They managed to create a huge network of agricultural land. Cereals were grown, because the natural monument has such an unusual name.
Today it is a natural and historical attraction. Thousands of tourists come to enjoy the natural scenery. Convenient viewing platforms are equipped throughout. At the highest, you can see the majestic condor, soaring high above the mountain peaks and slopes.
3
Kotawashi / 3,500 m
Another mountain attraction of the Latin American country, which is 100 meters deeper than its brother. The depth of Kutauosi, conveniently located between the two mountain systems of Koropun and Soliman, reaches 3,500 meters.
Despite the fact that it is far removed from civilization, tourists often visit it. In this place, hot springs beat out from under the ground, and majestic waterfalls fall from the rocks. The most famous is the Sipia waterfall, whose water falls down from a height of 250 meters. There is an observation deck equipped with a fascinating panorama.
On the territory there are several villages, descendants of the Indians. Locals have preserved the craft of their ancestors, and skillfully spin alpaca wool and make unique things out of it.
2
Kali Gandaki / 6,000 m
Second on our list is the unique Kali Grandi, spread out in Nepal. Its depth is 6,000 meters, and the canyon is named after the highly revered Buddhist goddess Kali.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit this sacred place to touch Buddhist shrines. One of these shrines are burning stones. It is believed that stones have healing properties. Surrounded by a beautiful mountain gorge, up to 8,000 meters high. Sharp elevations formed amazing mountain landscapes.
On convenient sites villages are located. Its inhabitants cultivate small plots of land, growing grain and vegetable crops. The place is considered sacred and mysterious, preserving many mysteries.
1
Yarlung Tsangpo / 6 009 m
We complete the journey in the Tibetan Himalayas, where among the high peaks for many kilometers a canyon stretches, the depth of which is 6,009 meters.
It was formed by the mountain river Tsangpo, flowing through the territory of three states. It has an unusual horseshoe shape, which distinguishes it from similar objects on Earth. In the narrowest place, the rocks are separated from each other at a distance of 80 meters. The river is rather obstinate, which does not prevent the daredevils from carrying out extreme alloys.
Due to elevation differences and a variety of landscapes, a special ecosystem has developed here. Below, where it is warmer, heat-loving plants grow, but above is a unique world of cold-resistant flora and fauna.
Summarize
So we learned about the deepest canyons on the planet. Despite the common name and structure, they are all distinctive, each with its own “zest”, unlike each other. All the great travelers note that canyons are a natural wonder of the world and the most beautiful objects of the geology of the planet. Thebiggest is waiting for your comments.