V-shaped valley

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V-shaped valley

Rivers flow through V-shaped valleys in their upper course. V-shaped valleys are usually found in the mountains and hills. They are so called because they often have very steep sides.

V-shaped valleys are formed by erosion. The river carries stones and rocks in its water. The force of the water and the grinding of rocks and stones cut down into the river bed to carve out a valley. Over time the valley becomes deeper and wider.

Waterfalls

A waterfall is formed where water flows over a cliff or very steep drop in the river's bed. There are two types of waterfall

1. Cataracts are found where there are many rapids in a large river. A large volume of water flows down these rapids.

2. Cascade waterfalls have a small volume of water. A series of falls may form one waterfall.

Formation

Different rates of erosion

Waterfalls are usually found in the upper course of a river in the hills or mountains. The Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica is the only known waterfall which forms the mouth of a river. Waterfalls form when there is a hard layer of