Interlocking Spurs

Question 1

What are interlocking spurs?

Answer 1

Projections of high land that alternate from either side of a valley and project into the valley floor.

Question 2

What are the characteristics 5 of interlocking spurs?

Answer 2

• Steep Gradient
• Convex slopes
• Separated by a narrow valley floor mostly taken up by the river channel
• Sometimes wooded
• May have scree slopes

Question 3

What is the first stage in the formation of interlocking spurs?

Answer 3

Very steep V-shapes valley made up of hard rock which is hard to weather. River takes up most of the valley floor. Energy left from overcoming friction is used for vertical erosion by hydraulic action.

Question 4

What is the second stage in the formation of interlocking spurs?

Answer 4

Freeze-thaw weathering weakens the valley a little. This gives the valley a steep V-shaped cross profile. Repeated weathering weakens the rock so fragments tumble into the river as scree.

Question 5

What is the third and final stage in the formation of interlocking spurs?

Answer 5

The winding path of the river is due to obstacles of hard rock in its path. The river takes the easiest route which results in projections of high land entering the valley from alternate sides. These are interlocking spurs.