Cluse de l'Arve, Water gap in Cluses, France.
The Cluse de l'Arve is a natural gap carved through limestone mountains, extending about 2.8 kilometers with a width of 500 meters and depth of 700 meters. This passage separates two major mountain ranges and creates a distinct geological boundary visible from many angles.
During multiple ice ages, the Arve glacier carved this passage by cutting through the Bargy anticline. Over time, this erosion separated two distinct mountain ranges and created the gap that exists today.
The place got its name from this geological formation, which has shaped how people here live and travel for centuries. The gap remains a visible reminder of nature's power in shaping the local landscape.
The gap is crossed by major transportation routes including the D1205 road, the A40 motorway, and a railway line. Visitors can view the formation from different vantage points along these routes to appreciate its scale.
The gap displays distinct layers of Urgonian limestone and Hauterivian marls that create a rare geological cross-section through the mountain range. These visible rock strata reveal Earth's ancient history and make the site particularly noteworthy for understanding regional geology.
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