Breaks Interstate Park

November 16, 2009

Towersandgorge

Photographer: Bonnie Keller
Summary Author: Bonnie Keller

The photo above showing a gaping gorge in extreme southwestern Virginia was taken at Breaks Interstate Park, which is managed by both Virginia and Kentucky. This view includes "The Towers" (at center). In this structure hard, resistant sandstone has withstood erosion that formed the gorge. The soft shale beneath the sandstone cap is much more susceptible to erosion. Russell Fork River runs through the gorge, which is referred to locally as the "Grand Canyon" of the southeast since it’s the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. Photo taken in the summer of 2009.

Breaks Interstate Park coordinates: 37° 17' 47" N, 82° 17' 49" W