In Figure 13.16 we depict how the Wind River in Wyoming steepens as it passes through Wind River Canyon. Say the gradient of the stream changes by 5-fold. Assuming that the river has achieved a steady profile, meaning here that it is incising at the same rates above, within and below the canyon, how much less susceptible is the crystalline rock in the canyon to erosion than the sedimentary rocks outside of the canyon? Discuss your assumptions.

Figure 13.16

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Elevation (m) 2400 2000 1600 1200 0 Dubois Wind River Range Mesozoic metasediments Dubois Wind River formation Cretaceous Cody shale 100 Wind River formation Riverton Owl Creek Range Wind River basin River distance (km) Wind River canyon Wind River, Wyoming Riverton Precambrian granites and Paleozoic metasediments 200 Wind River Canyon 300