How do hanging valleys form on mountain slopes?
Quick Answer
A smaller glacier carves a shallower valley than a larger main glacier, so its valley ends higher up after the ice melts. Waterfalls often spill from the hanging valley into the main one.
The Full Story
Hanging valleys form where a small tributary glacier joins a much larger valley glacier. Because the main glacier is thicker and erodes more deeply, the tributary valley is left perched above it after the ice retreats. The result is a cliff or steep drop where streams may plunge into the larger valley as waterfalls. Yosemite’s Bridalveil Fall is a famous example of water descending from a hanging valley. These landforms are common in alpine regions shaped by Ice Age glaciers.
Key Facts
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"How does a tiny glacier leave its valley hanging in the air?"
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