Difference Between Basin and Valley

A basin is a depression or hollow on the earth’s surface, which is surrounded by higher land. A valley is also a depression or hollow between hills, mountains and uplands.

A basin, which is also called a watershed, is the part of land that is drained by a river and its various tributaries. Creeks and streams are the characteristics of a basin, which helps in the draining of the water that falls on the surface into a river, which is then carried into the ocean.

Basins are usually circular in shape. On the other hand, Valleys are usually V’“shaped. The actual shape of a valley depends on the stream that flows in it. A valley formed out of glaciers is usually U-shaped. Then there is the hanging valley, which has the floor at an elevated level to the main channel into which it drains.

Generally, valleys are larger than the basins, which are a on the whole narrower. Valleys can be differentiated according to the method by which they have been formed. A rift valley is created because of the separation of the earth’s crust. Rift valleys are mainly formed because of tectonic movements. Then there is the glacier valley. The river valleys are normally formed in a very slow manner.

A valley is called a dale in its broadest sense. It is also called a vale. The original human inhabitants were known to have thrived along the valleys. The Nile, Ganges, Tigris, Euphrates, Amazon and Mississippi valleys are places where human beings settled for the first time.

Valleys have many features as stated above. The valleys range from one to ten kilometres in width.
Most of the valleys have horizontal floors. Regarding basins, some of the features are tributaries, watershed, confluence and the mouth of rivers.

Summary

1. Basin is a depression or hollow on the earth’s surface, which is surrounded by  higher land.
2. A valley is also a depression or hollow between hills, mountains and uplands.
3. Creeks and streams are the characteristics of a basin, which helps in the draining of the water that falls on the land into a river, which is then carried into the ocean.
4. Basins are usually circular in shape. On the other hand, Valleys are usually V ‘“ shaped. But the actual shape of a valley depends on the stream that flows in it.
5. Valleys are larger than the basins, which are a bit narrow.