Here's how it works:
* Tributary glaciers are smaller glaciers that flow into larger, main glaciers.
* Erosion: Tributary glaciers erode the landscape at a shallower rate than the main glacier due to their smaller size and volume.
* Elevation: The main glacier carves a deeper valley than the tributary, leaving the tributary valley hanging higher up the mountainside.
* Waterfall: When the tributary glacier melts, it leaves behind a dramatic drop, or waterfall, where the tributary valley meets the main valley.
Other features formed by tributary glaciers:
* Cirques: Bowl-shaped depressions at the head of a glacier.
* Aretes: Sharp ridges that form between cirques.
* Horns: Sharp peaks formed where multiple cirques intersect.
In summary: Hanging valleys are a striking example of the erosive power of glaciers, showcasing the interplay between tributary and main glacier activity.