The Gorges

What is a gorge?

A gorge is a narrow valley between hills or mountains with steep, rocky sides. The word gorge derives from the French word for throat or neck.

How are Gorges formed?

Streams or River:

• Streams slice through rock layers, eroding or breaking them down.

• The worn-away rock's sediment is subsequently moved downstream.

• The steep walls of a gorge will be formed as a result of this erosion over time.

• Flooding of streams or rivers accelerates and intensifies erosion, resulting in deeper, broader canyons.

Geological Uplift:

• Gorges are also formed by geologic uplift.

• The upward movement of the Earth's surface is known as geologic uplift.

• Uplift of the earth's crust is frequently linked to earthquakes and orogeny, the process of mountain formation.

• Rock layers beneath the Earth's surface collide with surface layers during geologic uplift.

• Surface rock layers that are softer erode.

How Waterfalls are formed?

• Gorges are often formed by a combination of erosion and geologic uplift.

• During geologic uplift, portions of streams or rivers, as well as land, can be lifted.

• Waterfalls form as rivers or streams flow across the raised surface.

• The waterfall's force erodes the softer rock layers beneath it over time, forcing the original river bed to collapse and form a canyon.