By Sarah Dutton

Oct 11 2019

Slot canyons are deep channels eroded into rock. They are often ten times deeper than they are wide, and some even approach a depth-to-width ratio of 100:1 (USDA, 2005). Slot canyons are especially common in in the southwestern United States, though they can be found in many other dry places around the world. When rain does occur, there is a high risk of flash floods in slot canyons. These floods can be fatal to hikers, because the steep, tall canyon walls can make exit impossible before the floodwater rushes in (National Park Service, 2019). With looming walls, dramatic twists and turns, and vibrant rock layers, slot canyons remain a popular tourist attraction, despite their danger. Botanists are also drawn to the canyons, which—because of water seeping through sandstone canyon walls, riparian zones at the bottom, and variations in elevation and exposure—contain microclimates that host different ecological communities from the larger landscape (USDA, 2005).