The Minas Channel connects the Minas Basin with the main body of the bay. The channel is 5.6 kilometers across and approximately 106.7 meters deep. The tides that flow through the channel are very powerful. They are as powerful as 8000 train engines or 25 million horses.

Facing Cape Split at the entrance to the Minas Channel are the basalt cliffs of Cape d'Or.

Zeolites form the basalt cliffs at Cape Split.