Earth & Space
How does running water shape a valley?
A stream changes its path. The Wusels discover how water shapes a landscape.
The short answer
Flowing water can wear away and carry off soil and rock. Over a long time a river can cut into the landscape and shape a valley. Elsewhere it may leave the carried material behind.
An imagined Wusel scene
Puschel and Flauschi investigate
In the model, Lumi slowly pours water along a little sand channel. Puschel sees it deepen; Flauschi notices a new pile of sand farther down. They mark both places. Their picture now shows removal and deposition instead of vanished sand.
Try explaining it
Where can material worn from a river valley go?
Choose a), b) or c), then explain your choice.
- a)It always stays in the same place even when carried by the river.
- b)Being carried turns it completely into water instead of deposits.
- c)It is carried away and deposited elsewhere.
Show the explanation
Correct: c): It is carried away and deposited elsewhere.
Flowing water can wear away and carry off soil and rock. Over a long time a river can cut into the landscape and shape a valley. Elsewhere it may leave the carried material behind.
Word help
- erosion
- Water, wind or ice wear away and remove soil or rock.
Explore in more detail
Here you will find longer explanations and further details. You can explore them together.
Understand step by step
How it works – simply explained
Water carries material
Flowing water removes loose particles. Carried sand and stones can also wear the bed. Removal is erosion.
A river changes its path
Over long periods it can cut into the ground and shape a valley. Rock, slope and water flow affect its form and speed.
Material settles elsewhere
Slower water may deposit carried material. A valley belongs to a story of removal, transport and deposition.
The key points again
Discovery 1
Running water can loosen, erode and transport material.
Source: [2]
Discovery 2
Over long periods a river can cut into the ground. Valley shape also depends on rock, terrain and water flow.
Discovery 3
Carried material can settle elsewhere. Erosion and deposition belong together.
Source: [2]