🟧 SECTION 4: THE YOUTH STAGE

What are the main characteristics of the youth stage?

The youth stage is characterised by:

• A V-shaped valley.

• Fast-flowing water.

• Vertical erosion.

• Steep slopes.

• Mountainous terrain.

• Waterfalls.

• Rapids.

• Interlocking spurs.

Main idea: The river cuts downwards into the landscape.

What is a V-shaped valley?

A V-shaped valley is a valley with a narrow bottom and sloping sides that resemble the letter V.

It is associated with the youth stage of a river.

The river cuts downwards into the landscape, while weathering and the movement of material on the valley sides contribute to the valley's shape.

How does a V-shaped valley develop?

• A river flows down a steep gradient.

• The river erodes its bed through vertical erosion.

• The channel becomes deeper.

• Weathering and the movement of material help shape the valley sides.

• A narrow valley with sloping sides develops.

The result is a V-shaped valley.

Why does a river in its youth stage usually flow quickly?

The river flows down a relatively steep gradient.

Gravity causes the water to move downhill, and the steep slope generally gives the river considerable energy.

What is a waterfall?

waterfall is a place where river water flows over a steep drop in the riverbed.

Waterfalls are associated with the youth stage of a river.

They can form where differences in rock resistance cause one section of the riverbed to erode more quickly than another.

What are rapids?

Rapids are sections of a river where water flows quickly and turbulently over an uneven or rocky riverbed.

They are associated with the fast-flowing water of the youth stage.

What are interlocking spurs?

Interlocking spurs are alternating projections of higher land that extend into a river valley.

The river winds around these projections, producing a zigzag course.

They are associated with the youth stage.

Why does a river flow around interlocking spurs?

The river follows a winding route around projections of higher land.

It has not yet cut deeply enough to pass straight through the higher ground, so it winds around the alternating spurs.

A river flows through steep mountains, has a V-shaped valley and contains rapids. Which stage is it in?

The youth stage.

The steep gradient, fast-flowing water, V-shaped valley and rapids are characteristic features of this stage.

What is the dominant type of erosion in the youth stage?

Vertical erosion.

The river erodes its bed downwards, deepening the channel and valley.