Ravine
A ravine is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, typically carved by running water eroding soil or rock.
Gully: A narrow channel cut into soil by concentrated runoff, too large to be erased by ordinary tillage. A small erosion channel can deepen and widen into a ravine.
Valley: A low area of land between higher ground, often shaped by rivers or glaciers. A ravine is a narrow, steep-sided kind of valley.
Gorge: A deep, narrow valley with steep rocky sides, often cut by a river. Gorges are commonly larger and more rock-walled than ravines, though usage overlaps.
Riparian zone: The land ecosystem alongside a river, stream, or other water body. Ravine streams support narrow riparian habitats along their floors.
Stream incision: The lowering of a river or stream channel as flowing water erodes its bed. Downcutting is a principal process that makes a ravine deeper.
Erosion: The wearing away and transport of soil or rock by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Ravine formation is a concentrated form of erosion.
Canyon: A deep valley with steep sides, usually formed by long-term river erosion. Canyons generally denote larger landforms than ravines.
Soil conservation: Practices that prevent soil loss and maintain soil quality. Vegetation and runoff control can limit ravine expansion on managed land.
Headward erosion: The upstream extension of a valley or channel through erosion at its head. It lengthens ravines upslope toward their drainage sources.
Runoff: Water that flows over land rather than soaking into the ground. Surface runoff concentrates into channels that can cut ravines.