Deepest Canyon in the World
Deepest Canyon in the United States

Cotahuasi Canyon of Peru - the world's deepest

Satellite image of southwestern Peru. The Pacific ocean is in the southwest corner of the mage but covered by a layer of white stratus clouds. Two deep canyons can be seen in the image. The eastern canyon was cut by the Rio Camana river and the western canyon was cut by the Rio Ocona. The large white area between these canyons is the snow-capped peak of Nudo Coropuna, a stratovolcano. At an elevation of 6617 meters it is the highest mountain in the Cordillera Occidental. The snowcap to the west is on Nevado Solimana, another stratovolcano at an elevation of 6117 meters. The main tributary of the Rio Ocona is the Rio Cotahuasi. The bottom of the Cotahuasi Canyon is 3354 meters below the top of the adjacent plateau. NASA Image.

Grand Canyon of Arizona: Deepest Canyon in the United States

At a depth of about 1737 meters - over one mile - the Grand Canyon of Arizona is the deepest valley in the United States. It was cut by the Colorado River and much of the area surrounding the canyon has been set aside for preservation as Grand Canyon National Park.

Satellite image of Arizona's Grand Canyon. The main part of the Canyon begins in the center of the image and extends off the western edge. Lake Powel can be seen to the northeast of the Canyon . NASA image.

Photograph showing the vast extent and depth of the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River meanders over one mile below the surrounding plateau. Scenes like this are part of what attract over 5 million visitors per year to Grand Canyon National Park. Image © iStockphoto and Neta Degany.