Niagara Gorge

The Niagara Gorge is a significant geological feature in North America, located on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York, U.S. It was formed by the erosive power of the Niagara River, which drains the upper Great Lakes. The gorge's formation is directly linked to the retreat of glaciers from the Wisconsin Glacial Stage, over 12,000 years ago.

The unique geology of the Niagara Escarpment, with a hard dolomite layer over softer shale, allows the falls to maintain a vertical drop as the dolomite is undercut and falls away. This process causes the falls to recede upstream over time. The Niagara River itself is a vital source of hydroelectric power for both Canada and the United States.1234