| Term: | Hanging valley |
| Definition: |
A valley formed by a small glacier that has a valley bottom relatively higher than nearby valleys formed by larger glaciers. NSIDCCryosphere
A former tributary glacier valley that is incised into the upper part of a U-shaped glacier valley, higher than the floor of the main valley. Hanging valley streams often enter the main valley as waterfalls. A tributary valley whose mouth ends abruptly part way up the side of a trunk valley, as a result of the greater amount of glacial down-cutting of the latter. Swisseduc A secondary valley that enters a main valley at an elevation well above the main valley's floor. These features are result of past erosion caused by alpine glaciers. Hanging valleys are often the site of spectacular waterfalls. PhysicalGeography GCW |