ASBOG Practice Exam

If the V-shaped outcrop points downstream, how does it relate to the gradient of the valley?

1. The dip is less than the gradient

2. The dip is equal to the gradient

3. The dip is greater than the gradient

4. The dip is undetermined

The correct answer is: The dip is greater than the gradient

When evaluating a V-shaped outcrop that points downstream, it typically indicates the relationship between the geological structure and the valley's gradient. In this context, if the V-shaped outcrop indicates that rock layers dip towards the valley, it means the angle or steepness of the rock's dip is steeper than the gradient of the valley slope. This steeper dip contributes to the formation of the V shape, with the pointed part of the V facing downstream and the sides of the V representing the outcropping rock layers. Essentially, the relationship depicted suggests that the geological structures are inclined more sharply compared to the relatively gentler slope of the valley itself. Therefore, the conclusion that the dip is greater than the gradient accurately reflects this relationship between the outcrop orientation and the valley's slope, demonstrating how geological processes influence topographical features.