Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: neilep on 19/01/2008 21:22:12

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: neilep on 19/01/2008 21:22:12

Dear Groove-In-The-Groundologists,

See these piccys..

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A GORGE !

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A VALLEY !


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A CANYON !


So, they all look like big old grooves in the ground to me !!....so...what's the difference ?

I don't know !!...do ewe ?...I just wanna graze on em !

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: opus on 19/01/2008 21:53:00

Good question- they're all just dippy deep down things to me- sorry- I look forward to the answers.

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: JimBob on 20/01/2008 01:37:45

A gorge is when you sit at a meal and stuff yourself silly, ending up with the bi-carb before bedtime.

Any questions?

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: neilep on 20/01/2008 14:18:48

Quote from: opus on 19/01/2008 21:53:00

Good question- they're all just dippy deep down things to me- sorry- I look forward to the answers.

Thank You Opus....Me too....lets hope a passing Groove-In-The-Groundologist pops in and answers !!

JimBob for instance I know will follow with a concise factual response that we can live with and nurture our young with in years to come !

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: neilep on 20/01/2008 14:20:01

Quote from: JimBob on 20/01/2008 01:37:45

A gorge is when you sit at a meal and stuff yourself silly, ending up with the bi-carb before bedtime.

Any questions?

See what I mean ?....QED !!..Thanks JimBob !! [;)]

I doubt BASS could follow that !!

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: JimBob on 20/01/2008 19:01:43

A gorge is a deep declivity with steep sides. OK That takes care of "gorge".

A Valley is a very wide relatively flat part between two sets of highlands, with a drainage system in it. The Thames and it's tributaries are in a valley.

A canyon is an American word taken from the Spanish meaning tube. It was first used to describe a very large features that resemble a gorge more than a valley. Of course, the Snake River gorge is also a huge feature so we are just talking semantics.

By the way, the bottom picture, labeled as a "canyon" is actually a glacial valley. But then again, Yosemite Valley is actually a canyon by this definition so quibble, pick nits and do what you can to groom yourself.

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: opus on 20/01/2008 23:35:37

aaahh- 'u'-shaped valleys indicate that a glacier has passed that way...

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: JimBob on 21/01/2008 21:29:20

Yes it does. There are other indicators, such as hanging valleys - valleys that end above the bottom level of the main valley. Other indicative features are present as well.

Title: Valley, Gorge, Canyon....and the differences are ????
Post by: opus on 21/01/2008 21:43:30

Thanks jimbob- glaciers are cool !