typical of upland mountain streams as high flow
velocities that follow intense precipitation cause
intense vertical erosion with this high potential
energy thus, producing V-shaped valleys.
Steepness may vary with climate, vegetation and geology
Climate - precipitation affects river discharge and mass movements on valley sides.
Vegetation - Roots bind soil together stabilising slope.
Geology - Impermeable rocks produce
steeper valleys E.g. streams in
carboniferous limestone cut canyon like
valleys
Interlocking spurs = stream forced to
wind a sinuous course around the
protrusions of the surrounding
highland, spurs appear to interlock
blocking the view of the valley.
Headward erosion/spring sapping - at source where it appears to migrate upslope into its watershed. Undercutting, rock, soil and veg.
Waterfalls
Form when flowing rivers cross into less resistant rock
E.g. Great Whin Sill UK
Form when rivers flow over the edge of a plateau E.g. South America and Africa
No friction at the brink of the fall so velocity increases.
Descending water erodes the underlying rock, forming a deep plunge pool.
Overtime, harder rock may become unstable and undercut retreating the
waterfall upstream leaving a steep-sided gorge E.g. until stabilised
Rainbow Gorge at Niagara Falls was retreating by 1m per year.
Rapids
Form where gradient of river increases without a break in the slope (otherwise it would become a waterfall)
Forms where the river flows over dipping bands of more resistant rock.
Rapids increase turbulence and thus, erosive power of the river.