The Formation of a V-shaped Valley

A “V-Shaped Valley” is a landform caused by river erosion. This valley will form in the upper course of a river. V-Shaped Valleys are present in most rivers. The floor of the valley is very narrow, and there is little or no flat land beside the stream. The stream channel is also very narrow and shallow. Volume and speed of flow is very low, due to a smaller drainage area and friction between water and the channel sides and the flow.

Vertical erosion will occur following heavy rainfall or melting of snow. Hydraulic action, an erosion process caused by the physical force of flowing water, loosens and carries away bedrock. This lays the foundation for the creation of a V-Shaped Valley.

Abrasion, erosion caused by the river’s load, will wear down bedrock as the load and the bedrock collide. This will deepen the level of the riverbed, while generating steeper sides to the channel. The valley sides will also be exposed to weathering and mass movement. These are the processes that lead to the formation of a V-Shaped Valley.