What is the difference between a ravine, gorge and canyon?
I recently went for a hike up a gorge and then down a ravine. What is the difference between a gorge and a ravine? And how does canyon fit in?
My impression was that there was an implied scale, where a ravine is smaller than a gorge, which is smaller than a canyon.
All of these geographical features seem to be created in the same way: a river or stream eroding hard rocky material, giving steep sides.
Looking at Wikipedia, there are entries for both "ravine" and "canyon". "Gorge" redirects to "canyon". It seems to imply that all three words can be used interchangeably. But are there some technical differences between these words to inform their usage?
meaning differences
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
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I recently went for a hike up a gorge and then down a ravine. What is the difference between a gorge and a ravine? And how does canyon fit in?
My impression was that there was an implied scale, where a ravine is smaller than a gorge, which is smaller than a canyon.
All of these geographical features seem to be created in the same way: a river or stream eroding hard rocky material, giving steep sides.
Looking at Wikipedia, there are entries for both "ravine" and "canyon". "Gorge" redirects to "canyon". It seems to imply that all three words can be used interchangeably. But are there some technical differences between these words to inform their usage?
meaning differences
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago
add a comment |
I recently went for a hike up a gorge and then down a ravine. What is the difference between a gorge and a ravine? And how does canyon fit in?
My impression was that there was an implied scale, where a ravine is smaller than a gorge, which is smaller than a canyon.
All of these geographical features seem to be created in the same way: a river or stream eroding hard rocky material, giving steep sides.
Looking at Wikipedia, there are entries for both "ravine" and "canyon". "Gorge" redirects to "canyon". It seems to imply that all three words can be used interchangeably. But are there some technical differences between these words to inform their usage?
meaning differences
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I recently went for a hike up a gorge and then down a ravine. What is the difference between a gorge and a ravine? And how does canyon fit in?
My impression was that there was an implied scale, where a ravine is smaller than a gorge, which is smaller than a canyon.
All of these geographical features seem to be created in the same way: a river or stream eroding hard rocky material, giving steep sides.
Looking at Wikipedia, there are entries for both "ravine" and "canyon". "Gorge" redirects to "canyon". It seems to imply that all three words can be used interchangeably. But are there some technical differences between these words to inform their usage?
meaning differences
meaning differences
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
asked 13 mins ago
JimJim
1011
1011
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jim is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago
add a comment |
ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago
ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago
ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago
add a comment |
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ELL duplicate: What are the differences between “valley”, “gorge”, “ravine”, “canyon”, and “gully”?.
– Laurel
3 mins ago