V-Shaped Valley When a river is in its youthful stage, it erodes vertically (downwards). This forms a valley with steep sides and a narrow floor. The valley is called V-shaped as it looks like the letter V. V-shaped valleys are a feature of erosion in a river. An example can be seen in the youthful stage of the River Liffey.
Formation Eroding down Weathering transport Slope A V-shaped valley formation
V-shaped valley
1. The river erodes downwards by hydraulic action. The valley is deepened by vertical erosion.
2. As the river cuts down, the steep sides are attacked by weathering. This breaks up and loosens the soil and rock.
Managing information and thinking:
In your copy, sketch or trace the stages of formation of a V-shaped valley. Make sure to include labels.
3. The loosened material slowly creeps down the slope because of gravity or is washed into the river by rainwater. The river carries it away.
4. The end result is a steep-sided valley that has the shape of the letter ‘V’.
