Slot canyon
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A slot canyon is a narrow canyon, formed by the wear of water rushing through rock. A slot canyon is significantly deeper than it is wide. Some slot canyons can measure only a foot to three feet (1 m) across at the top but drop more than one hundred feet (30 m) to the floor of the canyon.
Most slot canyons are formed in sandstone and limestone rock, although slot canyons in other rock types such as granite and basalt are possible. Even in sandstone and limestone, only a very small number of creeks will form slot canyons. This is due to a combination of the particular makeup of the rock, and regional rainfall characteristics.
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[edit] Slot canyons around the world
Slot canyons are found in many parts of the world, predominantly in areas with low rainfall. Some of the most well known slot canyons are to be found in the south west of the USA. Other significant areas include the Sierra de Guara in northern Spain, the Pyrenees on the border of France and Spain, and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia.
[edit] USA
The U.S. state of Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world[citation needed]. Antelope Canyon, one of the most famous of the slot canyons, is located in Arizona near Page, on the Navajo reservation. There are also numerous slot canyons in the valley between US 89 and the Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona, and can be seen as one descends into the valley on US 89, but these are also on the Navajo reservation and are closed to the public. Several canyons accessible to the public are within Zion National Park.
[edit] Australia
The largest known area of slot canyons in Australia is in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. They occur in a narrow band of sandstone that runs roughly 30km from east to west, and about 100km from south to north. The majority of these canyons are in the Wollemi Wilderness, and are difficult to access. A small number are regularly visited by canyoners on weekends in summer. The Grand Canyon, near Blackheath, has a tourist track along its rim, but requires abseiling or swimming to visit fully.
Sandstone slot canyons can also be found in a few more remote parts of Australia, including:
- the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park, Western Australia
- Karijini National Park in Western Australia
- Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland
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