Eden Basin

Question 1

Location of the Eden Basin:

Answer 1

1. North-West England, between mountains of the Lake District and the Pennines
2. The source is in the Pennine hills in South Cumbria
3. It is largely a rural area, with many scenic landscapes popular with tourists

Question 2

How was Hell Gill Force-waterfall formed?

Answer 2

1. Near the source of the River Eden
2. It has formed where there it has changed from hard limestone to soft sandstone.
3. Eroded the soft rock, forming a step.
4. As the waterfall as retreated up the valley it has left behind a steep-sided gorge.

Question 3

How are meanders formed?

Answer 3

1. When tributaries join the Eden, the river gets bigger, more power to erode the river channel sideways.
2. In the lower course, the river valley becomes wider and flatter and meanders form near Salkeld
3. They have been cut off to form ox-bow lakes. Where Briggle Beck joins the Eden

Question 4

What is the climate of the Eden Basin?

Answer 4

1. Cumbria faces the prevailing south-westerly winds
2. Mild and wet
3. Cool summers and mild winters.

Question 5

How are geomorphic processes influenced by temperature?

Answer 5

1. During cold periods, FTW can slowly break up the exposed rock of the valley sides in the upper course
2. The sides are weakened, makes mass movement is more likely
3. Adds to the river’s load increasing erosive power through abrasion.

Question 6

How does rainfall impact geomorphic processes?

Answer 6

1. Ground becomes saturated, heavier, less stable, river banks slump
2. Heavy rain can flow quickly into the river, volume of water rapidly increases
3. Increases transportation which causes more erosion by abrasion.

Question 7

How do igneous rocks influenced the geomorphic processes?

Answer 7

1. Found in the west of the Eden Basin, tend to be impermeable
2. High rainfall causes lots of surface streams to form
3. Have a lot of power to erode vertically, creating steep-sided V-shaped valleys.

Question 8

How do softer rocks influenced the geomorphic processes?

Answer 8

1. Middle and lower courses is made up of sandstone
2. Increasing volume of the river, leads to lots of lateral erosion
3. This widens the river channel and forms meanders and steep river cliffs.

Question 9

How does deforestation impact geomorphic processes?

Answer 9

1. Natural woodland and heathland have been cleared from upland areas
2. Increases surface runoff when it rains
3. More water ends up in river channels more quickly
4. More energy for erosion, causes sliding and slumping of the river banks.

Question 10

How does farming impact geomorphic processes?

Answer 10

1. Some upland areas have been drained of moisture to make them suitable for farming
2. Reduces stability of soil, more soil in the channel
3. Increased load, increases deposition
4. Changing the floodplain landscape from its natural state.

Question 11

How have flood walls and embankments influenced it?

Answer 11

1. 10km of raised flood defences have been built along the River Eden and Caldew
2. Designed to contain the water in the river, so that the floodplain can be built on
3. Interrupt natural processes of the river, can prevent natural formation of meanders and deposition of sediment on the floodplain.

Question 12

How does planting trees influence it?

Answer 12

1. Near Dalston, 1000 trees have been planted to reduce flooding and erosion by stabilising the soil
2. Trees intercept rainfall, reduce surface runoff, prevents rapid increases of volume of water
3. Less energy for river, reducing lateral and vertical erosion
4. Meanders take longer to form.