ASBOG Practice Exam

When the dip downstream is equal to the slope of the valley, what is the characteristic of the V?

1. It forms randomly within the valley

2. It has straight lines along the sides of the valley

3. It points downstream

4. It is not visible

The correct answer is: It has straight lines along the sides of the valley

The characteristic of the V in this scenario is that it has straight lines along the sides of the valley. When the dip of the dip downstream equals the slope of the valley, this indicates that the geological strata are conformable to the valley's topographic features. As a result, the edges of the V shape formed by the geological contacts or layers will display a straight line, mirroring the valley's gradient. This is due to the alignment of the rock layers with the natural slope of the valley, which creates a more pronounced and organized appearance along the sides. In cases where dip and slope differ, you might expect other formations or shapes, but the condition described aligns the geological structures, enhancing the straightness of the V. This geometry assists in understanding the relationship between topography and geological formations, which is fundamental in geological mapping and analysis.