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Letter AGeology glossary

Amphitheater Valley

An amphitheater valley is a steep-walled, U-shaped valley that resembles an amphitheater in shape, often formed by the headward erosion of streams or glaciers. These valleys are common in mountainous regions and provide important insights into the processes of erosion, weathering, and the geomorphological evolution of landscapes.

Geological erosion diagrams of arid and humid plateaus (amphitheater valley)
Fig. 1 Geological erosion diagrams of arid and humid plateaus (amphitheater valley)

Source Thornbury, W. D. (1965). Regional Geomorphology of the United States. John Wiley & Sons.

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