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Säterdalen Valley here is the result of geological processes at the end of the last ice age. Large amounts of sediment, mainly in the form of silt but also sand and clay, were deposited on the sea bottom at the edge of the retreating ice sheet. Because these soils are easily eroded, the Ljusterån River and the Hyttbäcken Creek dug ever deeper channels as they flowed towards the Dalälven. When saturated with water, silt becomes unstable and can easily form ravines. The ravine is still growing and changing as it has done for many thousands of years, and is gradually being absorbed into the surrounding agricultural landscape. The ravine system of Säterdalen Valley is Sweden’s prime example of a living ravine landscape.
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