This is a valley in a granite area with steep slopes, where the depth of the valley is greater than the width. They generally develop along tectonic faults in locations of intense uplift. Granite canyons form easily when the rate of uplift is similar to the rate of water erosion. For example, due to uplift associated with neotectonic movements, the Huangshan granite body has reached an elevation of more than 1,800 m. Coupled with the development of faults and strong erosion from abundant rainfall, a group of deep canyons that radiate from the centre of the rock body into the surrounding areas has formed. The Xihai Grand Canyon formed as a result of erosion by water along a NE-SW-trending fault line (Fig. 24).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2020). Granite Canyon. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_955
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_955
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2537-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2538-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences