River Incision Gorges

River incision gorges are formed when flowing water cuts down through rock layers, often exposing ancient geological formations. This process can take millions of years and creates some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.

Formation Process: River Incision

Geographic Distribution

Explore the locations of all river incision gorges on the map below

Columbia Gorge

Columbia River Gorge

OR/WA, US

Igneous

Basalt-carved canyon of the Columbia River with world-class waterfalls.

protected
Grand Gorge

Grand Canyon

AZ, US

Sedimentary

Layered Paleozoic rocks exposed by the Colorado River.

protected
Royal Gorge

Royal Gorge

CO, US

Metamorphic

Arkansas River cuts a steep canyon through Proterozoic rocks.

protected
Linville Gorge

Linville Gorge

NC, US

Metamorphic

The "Grand Canyon of the East," carved into Precambrian gneiss.

protected
Tallulah Gorge

Tallulah Gorge

GA, US

Metamorphic

Dramatic chasm with five waterfalls in the Tallulah River.

protected

Type Statistics

5

Total Gorges

5

Protected

3

Rock Types

1

Countries