ravine

geological feature

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

A ravine is a narrow opening or passage between hillsides or mountains. These geological features can be formed by erosion, where water carves out the land over time. Examples of synonyms for ravine include gorge, canyon, gulch, and defile. Ravines can be found in various mountainous regions, such as the Rocky Mountains, where activities like logging and oil exploration can lead to accelerated erosion and silting of streams.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

valley
Valley evolution in Hawaii
…streams incise to form V-shaped ravines. The ravine systems eventually become sufficiently deep to expose deeper layers where groundwater activity and spring sapping become more important. The deepest incision produces U-shaped, theatre-headed valleys. Because the layered basalt flows are most permeable parallel to dip, there is efficient groundwater movement toward…
Read More
…streams incise to form V-shaped ravines. The ravine systems eventually become sufficiently deep to expose deeper layers where groundwater activity and spring sapping become more important. The deepest incision produces U-shaped, theatre-headed valleys. Because the layered basalt flows are most permeable parallel to dip, there is efficient groundwater movement toward…
Read More