Fluvial Processes Definitions

Question 1

Define ‘waterfall’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 1

• A cascade of water falling from a height
• Fluvial erosion
• Upper Nile

Question 2

Define ‘rapids’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 2

• A fast flowing and turbulent part of the course of a river
• Fluvial transportation and can have some fluvial erosion
• Middle Nile

Question 3

Define ‘cataracts’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 3

• A large waterfall
• Fluvial erosion and fluvial transportation
• Middle Nile

Question 4

Define ‘v shaped valley’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 4

• The shape of a valley formed by flowing water, called a fluvial valley or a river valley
• Fluvial erosion and fluvial transportation
• Upper Nile and middle Nile

Question 5

Define ‘meanders’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 5

• A winding curve or bend of a river
• Fluvial erosion, fluvial transportation and fluvial deposition
• Middle Nile

Question 6

Define ‘the sudd-swamp’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 6

• A vast swamp in South Sudan, formed by the White Nile
• Fluvial transportation
• Middle Nile

Question 7

Define ‘islands’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 7

• A piece of land surrounded by water
• Fluvial deposition
• Middle Nile and lower Nile

Question 8

Define ‘bars’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 8

• An elevated region of sediment (eg, sand and gravel) in a river
• Fluvial deposition
• Middle Nile and lower Nile

Question 9

Define ‘floodplain’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 9

• An area of low-lying ground that is adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and is subject to flooding
• Fluvial transportation and fluvial deposition
• Lower Nile

Question 10

Define ‘levee’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 10

• An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river (a ridge of sediment deposited naturally)
• Fluvial deposition
• Middle Nile and lower Nile

Question 11

Define ‘delta’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 11

• A landform that forms from deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower moving or standing water (eg, when a river enters an ocean, sea, estuary, lake or reservoir)
• Fluvial transportation and fluvial deposition
• Lower Nile

Question 12

Define ‘wadi’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 12

• A valley, ravine or channel that is dry except in the rainy season
• Fluvial transportation
• Middle Nile and lower Nile

Question 13

Define ‘mesa’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 13

• An isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides
• Fluvial erosion
• Upper Nile (?)

Question 14

Define ‘butte’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 14

• An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top (similar to a mesa, but narrower)
• Fluvial erosion

Question 15

Define’ interlocking spur’ and state what type of process it is and where in the river it is found

Answer 15

• Projecting ridges that extend alternately from opposite sides of the wall of a young v-shaped valley
• Fluvial erosion