Gorge
Topic: Landforms and their Evolution: Rivers, Groundwater, Glaciers, Waves and Wind · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Structure and Physiography"; Class 11, Ch 3 "Drainage System"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management"; Class 11, Ch 6 "Landforms and their Evolution"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Topographical Maps"
Meaning
A gorge is a deep valley with very steep, almost straight sides. It is about as wide at the top as at the bottom. It forms in hard rock when a river cuts down faster than the valley sides can wear back. Gorges are common where rivers cut through mountains or hard plateaus.
Example
The Kaveri flows through a gorge at Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. Other examples are the Narmada at Bhedaghat near Jabalpur, the Indus near Gilgit and the Brahmaputra around Namcha Barwa.
Don't confuse with
- Canyon: a canyon is wider at the top, with step-like sides. It forms in flat-lying sedimentary rock. An example is the Grand Canyon in the USA.