The Canyons: Towering Walls Above Life-Giving Rivers
Canyons are among the most dramatic river landscapes. Discover how they form—and where to find these towering wonders around the world.
Rivers are lifelines of our planet!
Canyons are among the most dramatic river landscapes. Discover how they form—and where to find these towering wonders around the world.
The sand martin (Riparia riparia) is a bird that can’t live without river erosion. It breeds on a steep river bank and is the symbol of many natural rivers.
Steep banks of the river are extreme habitat, where some very specialized animals and plants live. They are mostly created by river erosion.
Natural rivers support rich biodiversity by constantly renewing themselves and creating diverse habitats for plants and animals to thrive.
River regulation alters natural flow for flood control, navigation, or irrigation—but often causes severe ecological and geomorphic harm.
River erosion sculpts Earth’s surface, carving valleys, carrying sediment, and meandering across plains as water’s energy reshapes the land over time.