Streams
Runoff to the Ocean
Topics
• Hydrologic Cycle
• Rain
• Streams
• Geomorphic Cycle
• Amphitheater-Headed Valleys
Topics
• Hydrologic Cycle
• Rain
• Streams
• Geomorphic Cycle
• Amphitheater-Headed Valleys
Geomorphic
Cycle
Lifestages of Valleys
Erosional Topography
Erosional Topography
• Four main processes determine the
erosional topography:
Erosional Topography
• Four main processes determine the
erosional topography:
1. Stream erosion
Erosional Topography
• Four main processes determine the
erosional topography:
1. Stream erosion
2. Weathering
Erosional Topography
• Four main processes determine the
erosional topography:
1. Stream erosion
2. Weathering
3. Mass wasting
Erosional Topography
• Four main processes determine the
erosional topography:
1. Stream erosion
2. Weathering
3. Mass wasting
4. Wave action
Geomorphic Cycle
Geomorphic Cycle
• Valley formation occurs in stages:
Geomorphic Cycle
• Valley formation occurs in stages:
1. Youth stage
Geomorphic Cycle
• Valley formation occurs in stages:
1. Youth stage
2. Maturity stage
Geomorphic Cycle
• Valley formation occurs in stages:
1. Youth stage
2. Maturity stage
3. Old age stage
• Youth stage
• Maturity stage
• Old age stage
Youth Stage
Youth Stage
• V-shaped valleys
Youth Stage
• V-shaped valleys
• Steep valley walls
Youth Stage
• V-shaped valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Narrow valley floor
Youth Stage
• V-shaped valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Narrow valley floor
• Stream occupies most of the valley floor
Youth Stage
• V-shaped valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Narrow valley floor
• Stream occupies most of the valley floor
• Erosion > deposition
Youth to Maturity
Youth to Maturity
• As valleys cut to near sea level, vertical
erosion slows
Youth to Maturity
• As valleys cut to near sea level, vertical
erosion slows
• Deposition increases
Youth to Maturity
• As valleys cut to near sea level, vertical
erosion slows
• Deposition increases
• Erosion of valley walls begins to
dominate
Maturity Stage
Maturity Stage
• U-shaped, wide valleys
Maturity Stage
• U-shaped, wide valleys
• Steep valley walls
Maturity Stage
• U-shaped, wide valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Flat valley floors
Maturity Stage
• U-shaped, wide valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Flat valley floors
• Stream occupies only part of valley floor
Maturity Stage
• U-shaped, wide valleys
• Steep valley walls
• Flat valley floors
• Stream occupies only part of valley floor
• Erosion = deposition
Maturity to Old Age
Maturity to Old Age
• Continued erosion of the intervening
ridges
Maturity to Old Age
• Continued erosion of the intervening
ridges
• Very wide valleys separated by low
ridges
Old Age Stage
Old Age Stage
• Very wide, flat valleys
Old Age Stage
• Very wide, flat valleys
• Valleys separated by low ridges
Old Age Stage
• Very wide, flat valleys
• Valleys separated by low ridges
• Stream meanders across valley floor
Old Age Stage
• Very wide, flat valleys
• Valleys separated by low ridges
• Stream meanders across valley floor
• Deposition > erosion
Next
Amphitheater-Headed
Valleys