Erosional Landforms of Running Water

Erosional landforms created by running water are shapes on the earth’s surface made over time by the flow of rivers and streams. This happens because the moving water picks up and carries away bits of soil and rock.

As the water travels, it wears down the land and can carve deep valleys, create steep cliffs, and form winding river channels. These changes show how powerful water can be in shaping our planet.

One of the most well-known examples of this is the Grand Canyon in the United States. It was formed by the Colorado River cutting through rock for millions of years. Small streams and rivers also create erosional landforms.

 Some of the erosional landforms formed by running water above the surface of the earth are :

  1. Valleys
  2. Potholes and Plunge Pools
  3. Incised or Entrenched Meanders
  4. River Terraces

Erosional Landforms (Running water)| Class 11 Geography Notes

Erosional landforms created by running water are the result of water moving across the land, carving out valleys, shaping mountains, and creating a variety of other structures through processes of erosion and deposition. These landforms show us the path water takes as it travels over and through the earth.

This article will give you a detailed guide on Erosional landforms by running water, including their formation and the unique landscapes they create.

Erosional Landforms (Running water)| Class 11 Geography Notes

Table of Content

  • Erosional Landforms of Running Water
  • Valleys
  • Potholes and Plunge Pools
  • Incised or Entrenched Meanders
  • River Terraces
  • Difference between Erosional and Depositional Landforms

Similar Reads

Erosional Landforms of Running Water

Erosional landforms created by running water are shapes on the earth’s surface made over time by the flow of rivers and streams. This happens because the moving water picks up and carries away bits of soil and rock....

Valleys

Valleys are among the most common erosional landforms created by running water. They start as small and narrow rills, which gradually develop into long and wide gullies. Over time, these gullies deepen, widen, and lengthen, eventually forming valleys. There are different types of valleys, such as:...

Potholes and Plunge Pools

Potholes are circular depressions formed by the erosion of rock fragments carried by running water. These depressions grow as pebbles and boulders are collected and rotated by the flowing water....

Incised or Entrenched Meanders

These are deep and wide meanders cut into hard rocks, typically found where a river rapidly cuts into its bed without significantly eroding its banks. Streams flowing over gentle slopes tend to develop sinuous or meandering courses, especially over floodplains and delta plains where gradients are very gentle....

River Terraces

River terraces are flat surfaces that mark old valley floors or floodplain levels. They result from the vertical erosion by a stream into its own floodplain, creating terraces that can be paired (at the same elevation on either side of the river) or unpaired (at different elevations or only on one side)....

Difference between Erosional and Depositional Landforms

Erosional and depositional landforms are created by natural processes involving the movement of earth materials by agents like water, ice, wind, and gravity. Here are some of the key differences between Erosional and Depositional Landforms tabulated below :...

Conclusion

Erosional landforms created by running water are key features of the Earth’s surface. They include valleys, canyons, gorges, etc. They have been shaped over millions of years. These formations show us the power of water to erode and reshape landscapes. These erosional processes contribute to the Earth’s geological diversity. They show us the balance between erosion and the creation of new geological features....

FAQs on Erosional Landforms (Running Water)

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