U shaped

What are U-shaped Valleys?

U-shaped valleys are formed by slow flowing ice called glaciers. Glacially carved valleys have the name U-shaped because in cross section they resemble the letter 'U'.

How are U-shaped Valleys formed?  

They have a curved floor with steep sides. < Floor gradient does not affect the valley's shape, it is the glacier's size that does. Continuously flowing glaciers and large sized glaciers carve wide, deep incised valleys, resulting in U-shaped valleys.

 

      Visualization of a U-shaped Valley.

 

Examples of U-shaped Valleys in the World