Seen from above canyons are great gashes in the earth, but walk down into a canyon and find a cool, hidden world, often silent and still - or resounding with the crash of water. Unexpected animal life, magnificent coloured cliffs; nature at its most beguiling.

Canyons or gorges are one of nature’s natural wonders. Whether admired from a height or scaled from the depths of the valley, the sheer size of these imposing natural structures can be awe-inspiring.

Carved out over eons by rivers and glacial retreats, they mark the landscape with plummeting cliff walls, dramatic peaks and narrow plateaus. The deepest canyons occur in arid areas because weathering has a much harsher effect and the most striking occur when the weather resistant hard rock that make up the canyons walls is colourful sandstone or granite- as in many of the canyons in America’s south west.

Canyons make for an exciting landscape and have a strong attraction for photographers and those who appreciate extreme environments. Who wouldn’t be astounded by the site of a steep rift of up to three and a half kilometres deep worn into the earths rock?

Related categories: Volcanoes, Canyons, Deserts, Mountains, Frozen Landscapes, Caves & Caving, Hot Springs

Experts in Canyons:  Mike Lyvers

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