Barranco: What is it, how is it forms and examples

A ravine, ravine, clearance or precipice is a abrupt slope on the surface of the land which can be caused by different causes such as erosive processes caused by a river or stream, by tectonic plates movements or as a result of depression between two normal failures that are oriented in parallel (tectonic graves).

Beyond being a characteristic form of relief, the ravines They have a high environmental and urban value. From the ecological point of view, they function as biodiversity reservoirs and biological corridors that facilitate the displacement and dispersion of species, in addition to acting as natural barriers. They also play a key role in the recharge of aquifers, the regulation of the microclimate and the mitigation of the effects of climate change, which gives them a strategic importance within the hydrological system. In urban environments, the ravines constitute green spaces that improve people’s quality of life and provide opportunities for recreation, contact with nature and environmental education.

Did you know that one of the main problems in the ravines is associated with the irregular occupation? This, in addition to causing pollution problems, increases the risk of accidents, since most homes are located in inappropriate areas.

The ravines are formed over time as a result of different geological and climatic processes that act on the earth’s surface. Among the most common mechanisms are:

• Water erosion: When the water of a river or a stream flows on the earth’s surface, it exerts an erosive force that is wearing and transporting land materials. With the passage of time, this erosive action creates pronounced slopes that give rise to the ravines. In this article you will find more information about water erosion: definition, types, causes and consequences.
• Tectonic activity: Another process that can give rise to the ravines is tectonic activity. When movements are produced in the earth cortex plates, these can generate failures or fractures. In some cases, depressions are formed between two parallel failures, known as tectonic graves, where the land sinks leaving large ravines on both sides.
• Influence of other factors: In addition to water erosion, there are other factors that can influence the development of ravines such as ice action, or chemical weathering of rocks. These factors can modify the form and characteristics of the ravine that continue to evolve over time.

The final form of a ravine depends on several elements such as the nature of the soil or the rock, the slope of the terrain, the flow of water that circulates in the area and the vegetation coverage. Therefore, there are no two exactly the same ravines, and each reflects geological and climatic history of the place where it is located.

• Badajoz ravine: It is a ravine located in the southeast of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). The ravine is a tributary of the Barranco del Agua, being at the southern end of the Güímar Valley.
• Copper ravine: They are a system of seven ravines located in the Sierra Tarahumara in the southwest of the Mexican state of Chihuahua (Mexico). This site is home to the Raremuri people and houses a rich biodiversity, in addition to being an important tourist attraction.
• Barranco de Santos: It is in full urban environment of the capital of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. Over the years, it has been intervened to integrate green spaces and walking areas. This place is a clear example of how a ravine can be part of the urban framework and function as an axis of mobility and recreation.
• GEBAS BARRANCO: It is a protected landscape from the Region of Murcia, Spain. It is a Badlands formation composed of gullies, cannons and ravines, which give it a very particular appearance. Its characteristic fauna is steppe.
• Barranco del Río Dulce: This ravine located in Guadalajara (Spain) is a natural park that protects the surroundings of the Dulce River Canyon. The place has been declared as a area of special conservation, area of special protection for birds (Zepa) and place of community importance (LIC). Its steep walls have been modeled by river action for thousands of years.
• Ravine of the dry hoz: It is located in the province of Zaragoza (Spain) and is bathed by the Mesa River. One of the characteristics that attracts the attention of this ravine is the sanctuary of Our Lady of Jaraba, a temple that was built between the eighteenth and eighteenth centuries and is embedded between the rocks.
• BARRANCO DEL ELIÓN: The Special Natural Reserve of the Barranco delio is a protected area located in the municipality of Adeje in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). This site is characterized by the presence of deep ravines separated by hills and other geological formations. In addition, it presents one of Tenerife’s most important permanent water courses.

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