Question

What type of stream valley forms in mountainous areas?

Answer 1

Hint: A valley is a deep, narrow depression on the surface of the Earth. Rivers drain valleys, which can be found in a relatively flat plain or between ranges of hills or mountains. Rift valleys are valleys that form as a result of tectonic activity. Gorges are very small, deep valleys of a similar appearance. The shape and depth of a stream's valley are determined by the erosion and transport of rock and sediment by the stream. The most popular types are V-shaped valleys and deep valleys with flat floors.

Complete answer:
- Unless in glacial regions, steep V-shaped valleys; in this case, the stream would be at the bottom of a deep U-shaped valley.
- In mountainous areas, a stream usually follows a lineament of rock weakness, such as faults, eroding the landscape to form its bed.
- Because of the steeper altitude gradient, the water's energy is higher as it passes through the mountains. The river would flow faster as a result, eroding deep "V" shaped valleys or gorges.
- Also in mountainous regions, rivers flow on the bottom of broad "U" shaped valleys in certain areas (for example, the Highlands of Scotland). This is because glaciers carved these valleys during the last ice age, and water now flows into them.
- The river's morphology will change once it reaches the plain region at the foothills of the mountains, becoming slower and possibly forming a braided pattern of several shallow channels that separate and recombine.
- A V-shaped valley is the type of stream valley that is most likely to form in a mountainous area. This is a small valley with a profile that resembles the letter V. The sides of this form of the valley are steeply sloping. It's caused by a stream eroding downward, which is known as downcutting.

Note: Death Valley in California and the Jordan River Valley in the Middle East are two examples of valleys that are completely surrounded by higher ground and do not open to the ocean. Hollows are small valleys nestled between mountains or hills, such as those found in Appalachia. Valleys and ridges are home to frogs, snakes, turtles, rabbits, deer, wolves, cougars, and bears. Since both predators and prey have enough food, these animals build their habitats here. Furthermore, the climates of valleys and ridges are suitable for these species.