A hanging valley is a geological feature formed when a smaller glacier carves a valley that is higher than the main valley created by a larger glacier. This occurs because the larger glacier erodes the landscape more deeply, leaving the smaller valley elevated. When the glaciers melt, the hanging valley often remains suspended above the main valley. These valleys are typically characterized by steep cliffs and can lead to the formation of waterfalls as streams flow from the higher elevation down into the main valley below. Hanging valleys are commonly found in mountainous regions shaped by past glacial activity, such as the Rocky Mountains or the Alps.