Copyright Information: All images are in the public domain and available for free. If you use this image, credit NOAA/NGDC, John Lockridge, Longmont, Colorado. |
Upper Yosemite Falls drops from its "hanging" valley into the Yosemite chasm. These hanging valleys and waterfalls (among the grandest collection of waterfalls in all the world) were left after glacial ice scoured out the main valley to a depth of 2,000 or more feet. When the glacial ice in the main valley melted, the tributary valleys were left "hanging" high above the main valley floor. The lower slopes have been scoured smooth by the glacier while the upper slopes above the ice line remain rugged (upper left). Image Credit: John Lockridge, Longmont, Colorado. The hydrologic system, which includes all possible paths of motion of Earth's near-surface fluids including air and water, is largely responsible for the variety of landforms found on the continents. Heat from the sun evaporates water from oceans, lakes, and streams. Although most of the water returns directly as precipitation to the oceans, some of the water is recipitated over land as rain or snow. If it is precipitated over land, it then begins its journey back to the sea as "runoff." The relentless action of surface runoff, streams, and rivers, glaciers, and waves sculpts the rock into intriguing and bizarre shapes. This set of slides includes examples of wave erosion, wind and water erosion, valley shapes, and glacial rosion. The views are often dramatic. Many were taken at U.S. National Parks and Monuments. |
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