Name one feature formed by river erosion and explain with the aid of a labelled diagram, how it was formed. - Junior Cycle Geography - Question A - 2008

A V-shaped valley is formed through the process of vertical erosion caused by a river. As the river flows, it cuts down into the landscape, deepening and widening the valley over time. The process involves several steps:

1. Initial Erosion: The river begins to erode the landscape through hydraulic action and abrasion, which are effective in areas where there is hard bedrock. The powerful flow of water wears away the rock and soil at the riverbed, creating a downward cut.

2. V-Shape Formation: Over time, the sides of the valley are also affected by weathering processes, such as freeze-thaw action, causing the sides to crumble and steepen. This lateral erosion combined with vertical erosion results in the characteristic V-shape of the valley.

A labeled diagram would show the profile of the valley, indicating the river, steep slopes, and the base where erosion is most active.

The diagram should include the flowing river at the bottom, steep valley sides, and annotations for key features such as the water flow direction, eroded areas, and any features of weathering.