Interior of slot canyon, Arizona USA

Credit: KEITH KENT/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Interior of a slot canyon. Slot canyons are made by seasonal flash flood water after thunderstorms. The water follows cracks in the sandstone of the area, and over 10,000 years forms these 50 metre deep canyons. The abrasive quality of the water comes from the particles of sand it carries. Localised turbulence and eddy patterns in the flow cut natural arches and holes into the canyon. The stratified nature of the sandstone is particularly clear. This canyon is near Lake Powell, Arizona USA.

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Keywords: canyon, erosion, geology, geomorphology, sandstone, slot, slot canyon, strata, water, water erosion

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