Characteristics and formation of fluvial landforms

Question 1

what are the landforms resulting from erosion?

Answer 1

-interlocking spurs
-waterfalls
-gorges

Question 2

what are the characteristics of interlocking spurs?

Answer 2

-steep gradient
-convex slopes
-sometimes wooded
-may have scree slopes
-project from alternative sides of the valley

Question 3

what are the characteristics of waterfalls?

Answer 3

-sudden drop in altitude of river
-the water has to actually fall

Question 4

what are the characteristics of gorges?

Answer 4

-very narrow valley
-very steep, high valley sides
-located immediately downstream of a waterfall
-turbulent, fast flowing white water

Question 5

explain how interlocking spurs are formed

Answer 5

formed by fluvial erosion, a long time ago there was an obstacle that made the river go one way and another obstacle made it go another way, then the river starts to vertically erode creating a valley

Question 6

explain how waterfalls are formed

Answer 6

water erodes the soft rock more than the hard rock, this undercuts the hard rock and creates an overhang and a plunge pool, the ledge collapses and the waterfall retreats

Question 7

explain how gorges are formed

Answer 7

as a waterfall retreats up stream it leaves a steep sided valley downstream, every time the overhang breaks off the gorge retreats and becomes longer

Question 8

what landforms result from erosion and deposition?

Answer 8

-meanders
-ox bow lakes

Question 9

describe the characteristics of meanders

Answer 9

-bend in a river
-slip off slope
-river cliff
-flow fastest on outside

Question 10

describe characteristics of ox bow lakes

Answer 10

-redundant meander cut off from main river channel
-no flow of water
-filling in with sediment
-eventually colonised with plants

Question 11

what landforms result from deposition?

Answer 11

-levees
-flood plain
-estuaries