What's the difference between a U-shaped and V-shaped valley?

V-shaped valleys are carved by rivers that erode downwards in a narrow channel, while U-shaped valleys are carved by glaciers that fill the entire valley and erode both the floor and sides simultaneously. The result is that glacial valleys have flat, wide floors and steep sides, whereas river valleys are narrower with sloping sides.

When was the last ice age in Britain?

The last ice age peaked roughly 26,000–20,000 years ago, with ice covering Scotland, Wales, the Lake District, and parts of northern England. The very last glaciers disappeared around 11,700 years ago during what's called the Younger Dryas period.

What is a hanging valley and why does it create waterfalls?

A hanging valley is a tributary valley that enters a main valley high up on the valley side rather than at floor level, often creating a waterfall. It forms because the main glacier was larger and more powerful than tributary glaciers, so it deepened its valley more aggressively, leaving the smaller valleys literally hanging above.

How the Hills Got Here

How Glaciers Carved Britain’s Valleys

Moving ice widened and deepened existing river valleys, grinding the floor and sides into the broad U-shape seen across Britain’s uplands. The article will explain corries, hanging valleys and the marks glaciers left on exposed rock.

4 September 20267 min read