What causes rivers to carve canyons?

Rivers carve canyons through the process of erosion. Over millions of years, flowing water wears away rock and soil, deepening and widening the river channel. The speed of the water, sediment load, and the type of rock influence the rate of erosion. Canyons like the Grand Canyon form when rivers cut through uplifted land, revealing layers of rock and creating dramatic landscapes. This geological process shapes valleys and gorges worldwide.