Canyons do not overwrite strongholds rather, a stronghold can occasionally be found exposed by a canyon. Most parts of the stronghold can be overwritten by caves, ocean monuments, ancient cities, mineshafts, fossils, amethyst geodes, and monster rooms but it is rare for the end portal to be replaced, which would force a player to find one of the other strongholds, as a portal can be activated only with all 12 end portal frames present. Strongholds may generate at bedrock level, cutting the bedrock. Strongholds generate at any Y level, mostly underground, and prefer to generate in biomes above sea level, but generate underwater if necessary. For locating strongholds, see Eye of Ender § Locating strongholds. This article is about the generation mechanics.
