In China Lies The Largest Terrestrial Canyon On Land, Plunging Deeper Than Every Other Known Gorge
If you’re a fan of rock climbing, hiking, or simply observing the wonders of nature, you would probably love to visit the deepest canyon in the world. Its steep walls and rugged terrain create a picture-perfect landscape that leaves visitors awestruck.
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon is the largest terrestrial canyon on land. It plunges into depths far beyond every other known canyon on land. The only gorge that surpasses it is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.
The canyon is located in Tibet, China, and is 314 miles long, which is 37 miles longer than the Grand Canyon.
It reaches a maximum depth of 19,175 feet from top to bottom, making it three times deeper than the Grand Canyon.
It is named after the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which has the highest average elevation of any major river on Earth, at 13,000 feet.
The river originates in the west of the Tibet Autonomous Region at Angsi Glacier. It flows east across the Tibetan Plateau before making a sharp bend to the southwest to drain into the Brahmaputra River.
The canyon then extends around Mount Namcha Barwa, which stands at about 25,530 feet tall, and Gyala Peri, which reaches 23,930 feet.
Overall, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon has an average depth of 7,440 feet. The canyon formed three million years ago when tectonic forces pushed up Earth’s crust and steepened the path of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.
Throughout the years, the river caused massive erosion, leading to the development of the canyon.
Biao – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The canyon also features a unique ecosystem with a variety of rare species that have been nearly untouched by humans since the region is so treacherous and inaccessible. It is one of the last places on Earth that humans have not corrupted.
Furthermore, the canyon is home to the tallest tree in all of Asia. It is a cypress that stretches 335 feet tall.
In May 2023, a research team from Peking University measured the tree as part of conservation efforts for the region’s ecosystem.
It is unclear what species the tree belongs to. The tree could be a Himalayan cypress or a Tibetan cypress.
The climate of the region ranges from the Arctic to the subtropical. The highest recorded temperature was 110.5 degrees Fahrenheit at an elevation of 2,000 feet near the Indian border. The takin, a goat-antelope creature, is found there. It is hunted by members of the local tribe.
At present, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon faces a severe threat, despite it being largely out of reach of humans. There are plans for the construction of a major dam on a portion of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.
The dam will generate double the electricity of the Three Gorges Dam. However, it will have a negative impact on the canyon’s environment and displace thousands of locals as they won’t receive enough water.
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