How do hanging valleys form above waterfalls?
Quick Answer
Hanging valleys form when a smaller tributary glacier or river erodes its valley less deeply than the main one. After erosion, the tributary is left high above the main valley floor, often creating a waterfall.
The Full Story
Hanging valleys are common in glaciated mountain landscapes. During the Ice Age, a large main glacier carved a deep U-shaped valley, while smaller side glaciers cut shallower valleys into the mountain slopes. After the ice melted, the tributary valley remained elevated above the main valley floor. Water often drops from these hanging valleys as waterfalls, especially in places like Yosemite and the fjords of Norway.
Key Facts
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"Why some waterfalls seem to fall out of a cliff wall"
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