What are Slot Canyons?

Geomorphology, or the study of landforms on the Earth's surface, is guided by two principles: uplift and erosion. Mountains rise as tectonic plates smash together or pull apart from each other, and physical and chemical forces such as gravity, water, and wind wear down even the tallest of mountains over time. Both the processes of uplift and erosion take many thousands or even millions of years to happen but the evidence of both can be seen all around us. One of the most common drivers of erosion is water, rain collects into streams and rivers that carve out rocks from mountainsides and deposit them far away forming sedimentary deposits in valleys. One dramatic example of the powerful forces of water shaping the environment are slot canyons which occur all over the world.

Slot Canyons are rare, unlike other forms of valleys or canyons. They possess several characteristics that make them unique:

• They are very deep relative to their width,

• They typically exist in areas with tough bedrock,

• They form from flash flood events, where the flow of water is quick and rapid enough to incise downward but does not last long enough to erode the walls

Because of these characteristics, slot canyons are usually found in dry and arid regions where rainfall is less frequent but occurs in short bursts. The desert southwest US is host to several famous examples, like Painted Canyon and Borrego Springs in southern California, Subway Canyon in Zion National Park in Utah, Oneonta Gorge in Oregon, Antelope Canyon in Arizona. North Africa also host many slot canyons, including Coloured Canyon in Egypt and Siq Canyon in Jordan. Due to the nature of their formation, one must be careful as flash floods can pose a dangerous threat. If there are thunderstorms in the forecast, do not go into a slot canyon! Water rapidly fills slot canyons, and many people have perished unable to escape from the torrent of water that builds up and rushes through these canyons.