Progressive geomorphic changes in the flight of fluvial terraces along the Rappahannock River, Virginia, provide a framework for analysing the effect of time on landforms. Indices of terrace preservation, especially drainage densities and area to perimeter ratios, show systematic changes with terrace age. Higher scarps tend to have steeper slopes and, for a given scarp height, older scarps tend to have gentler slopes. Depositional features such as bars and channels with 1-3m of relief are preserved on terraces on the order of 105 yr old.-from Author