Ravine

A ravine is a special kind of landform that is narrower than a canyon and wider than a gully. It is usually formed by the erosion of riverbanks, where water slowly wears away the earth over time. Ravines are often found in areas where streams flow downhill, carving deep paths into the land.

These landforms have steep sides, sometimes sloping as much as twenty to seventy percent. They might have small streams running through them, but these streams don’t always flow year-round. Because of their size, ravines are bigger than gullies but smaller than full valleys.

Ravines can be called by many different names depending on where you are in the world. For example, in places like Nevis they might be called a ghout, in South Africa a kloof, or on the Isle of Wight a chine. No matter what they’re called, ravines are important parts of the natural landscape, showing how water shapes the earth over many years.

Definition

According to Merriam-Webster, a ravine is a small, narrow valley with steep sides. It is bigger than a gully but smaller than a canyon, and it is usually formed by water flowing over the land. Some places and languages do not separate the idea of a gully from a ravine, while others make a clear difference, especially when taking care of the environment.

Formation

Gullies are often found in hilly or mountainous areas where water runs down steep slopes and slowly wears away the land. A ravine is what happens when a small stream erodes the earth so much that it creates a deep cut. A gully becomes a ravine when it gets very deep, usually more than 5 metres or 16 feet deep.

Environmental impact

Ravines can cause serious damage to land, especially farms, by washing away soil. This soil can pollute water and make flooding more likely. Cutting down trees and letting too many animals graze can make ravines form faster. In some places called badlands in India, the soil is disappearing very quickly—more than 40 tonnes for every hectare each year.

Examples

The volcanoes in Hawaii, like Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, help create many ravines. These ravines often look like V-shapes and are shaped by rain and streams. Over time, some become deep and even change shape.

• Babi Yar, Ukraine
• Bam Bam Amphitheaters, Gabon
• Barranco de Badajoz, Spain
• Barranco del Infierno, Spain
• Gravina Ravine, Italy
• Moola Chotok, Pakistan
• Ravenna Park, United States
• Rauðfeldsgjá, Iceland
• Stuðlagil, Iceland
• Taishaku Valley, Japan
• Toronto ravine system, Canada