Interlocking Spurs – A series of ridges projecting out on alternate sides of a valley and around which a river winds its course

To remember the meaning of the term Interlocking Spurs, use the following mnemonic:

Interlocking fingers remind us of interlocking spurs because that is exactly what interlocking spurs look like.

Interlocking slopes are convex (rounded) slopes that extend alternately from opposite sides of a valley, each one fitting into the "gap" between two similar slopes on the other side. They fit together rather like the teeth of a zip.

Interlocking spurs are created over vast periods of time by a river eroding the landscape in its upper course. The river winds and bends as it meets resistance from harder rock.