Valleys remain V-shaped but deepen significantly. Major "trunk" streams begin to widen their floors, creating narrow floodplains where they may start to meander .
The broad, flat uplands characteristic of the "youth" stage disappear. They are replaced by sharp, narrow divides between valleys. mature land pictures
Modern geomorphologists often favor theories like John Hack’s Dynamic Equilibrium , which suggests that landscapes reach a "steady state" where they constantly adjust to energy inputs rather than following a fixed aging cycle. Scientific Resources & Perspectives Valleys remain V-shaped but deepen significantly
Early-stage features like waterfalls, rapids, and upland marshes typically vanish as the riverbed reaches a more stable, graded profile. Theoretical Context: The Geomorphic Cycle mature land pictures