Downcutting is usually most prominent along the ________ part of a stream valley.
A) lower
B) upper
C) delta
D) interfluve
E) widest

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Downcutting is the process by which a stream or river cuts downward into the bedrock at the bottom of its channel. This occurs most prominently in the upper part of a stream valley, where the stream has a steeper gradient and more energy to erode the bedrock. In the lower part of the valley, the river may have a flatter gradient and meander, eroding laterally instead of vertically. The delta is the area at the mouth of a river where it meets a standing body of water such as a lake or ocean, and interfluve refers to the elevated area between two streams or rivers. The widest part of a stream valley may indicate a floodplain, where lateral erosion is more prominent.

Downcutting Is Usually Most Prominent Along the ________ Part of a Stream