The lengthening of a stream valley upslope as erosion at its uppermost point cuts back into previously unchannelled terrain, extending the drainage network over time. It is a principal mechanism of river piracy, by which one stream's headward growth can intercept and divert the flow of a neighboring drainage basin.
Facts
Timescale
Timescale (category) Process Type Headward Erosion
Filter Results1 entry
Connections
Caused By
Causes
Source Knickpoint Retreat (Wikipedia)
Source River Capture (Wikipedia)
Shaped
Source Iguazu Falls - Wikipedia
Source Fluvial terrace (Wikipedia)
Source Victoria Falls (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Headward erosion (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia infobox 'Lead section' = 'Headward erosion is erosion at the origin of a stream channel, whic...' on 'Headward erosion'View the Source 2. Headward erosion, Wikipedia
Lead section, third sentenceQuote, Lead section, third sentence
Headward erosion is a fluvial process of erosion that lengthens a stream, a valley or a gully at its head and also enlarges its drainage basin.
Knickpoint Retreat (Wikipedia)
River Capture (Wikipedia)
Iguazu Falls - Wikipedia
Shaped: Iguazu Falls, Formation statement for target 287631Quote, Shaped: Iguazu Falls, Formation statement for target 287631
Headwater erosion rates are estimated at 1.4-2.1 cm/year (0.55-0.83 in/year).
Victoria Falls (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationShaped: Victoria Falls, Formation statement for target 287631Quote, Shaped: Victoria Falls, Formation statement for target 287631
Headward erosion along these structural lines of weakness would establish a new fall line and abandonment of the earlier line.
Fluvial terrace (Wikipedia)
Shaped: River Terrace, Formation statement for target 287631Quote, Shaped: River Terrace, Formation statement for target 287631
Changes in elevation can be due to changes in the base level (elevation of the lowest point in the fluvial system, usually the drainage basin) of the fluvial system, which leads to headward erosion along the length of either a stream or river, gradually lowering its elevation.
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