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Geography River Landforms > Geography River Land Forms > Flashcards

Geography River Land Forms Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the characteristics of the upper course of a river?

A

Narrow, shallow, flows down steep slopes, has little load, most energy used for vertical erosion, flows through a V-shaped valley.

The upper course is primarily shaped by erosion.

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2
Q

What type of erosion is dominant in the upper course of a river?

A

Vertical erosion.

This type of erosion deepens the river channel.

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3
Q

Describe the middle course of a river.

A

Wider, deeper, meanders over a narrow valley floor, carries more load made up of smaller particles, deposition occurs.

The energy of the river decreases, allowing for the deposition of sediments.

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4
Q

Fill in the blank: The upper course of a river flows through a _______ valley.

A

V-shaped.

This shape is a result of vertical erosion.

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5
Q

True or False: The river in its middle course flows over steep slopes.

A

False.

The middle course flows over less steep slopes.

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6
Q

What happens to the river’s load as it moves from the upper to the middle course?

A

It carries more load made up of smaller particles.

This is due to increased erosion and weathering processes.

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7
Q

What is the term used to describe the section of a river where it begins?

A

Source

The source is typically located in highland areas where precipitation collects.

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8
Q

What characterizes the gradient of the upper course of a river?

A

Steep gradient

Steep gradients contribute to faster flow and more erosion.

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9
Q

What is a key characteristic of the middle course of a river?

A

Gentle gradient

The gentle gradient allows for a more meandering flow.

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10
Q

In which section of a river does deposition dominate?

A

Lower course

The lower course has less energy, leading to sediment deposition.

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11
Q

What term is used to describe the area where a river meets the sea?

A

Mouth

The mouth is where a river discharges its water and sediment into another body of water.

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12
Q

What is the typical flow pattern of a river in its lower course?

A

Zig-zags over a wide valley floor

This pattern is influenced by the lower energy of the river.

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13
Q

Fill in the blank: The upper course of a river is characterized by a _______.

A

Steep gradient

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14
Q

True or False: The middle course of a river has the highest energy flow compared to the upper and lower courses.

A

False

The upper course has the highest energy due to its steep gradient.

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15
Q

What happens to the energy of a river as it moves from the upper course to the lower course?

A

It decreases

As the gradient becomes gentler, the energy decreases, leading to increased deposition.

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16
Q

List the three main sections of a river.

A
  • Upper course
  • Middle course
  • Lower course
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17
Q

What is the term for the starting point of a river?

A

Source

The source is where a river begins, often in the mountains or hills.

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18
Q

What is the shape of a valley formed by a river’s upper course?

A

V-shaped valley

V-shaped valleys are typically found in the upper course of a river due to erosion.

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19
Q

What are interlocking spurs?

A

Interlocking spurs are ridges of land that alternate on either side of a river in its upper course.

They occur as the river winds through the landscape.

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20
Q

What is a tributary?

A

A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river.

Tributaries contribute to the flow and volume of the main river.

21
Q

What is the term for the middle section of a river?

A

Middle course

The middle course is characterized by wider valleys and meandering paths.

22
Q

What is a meander?

A

A meander is a winding curve or bend in a river.

Meanders are common in the middle course of a river due to erosion and sediment deposition.

23
Q

What type of landform is often found in the upper course of a river?

A

Waterfalls

Waterfalls occur when a river flows over a steep drop or cliff.

24
Q

Fill in the blank: The flat area next to a river is called a _______.

A

Floodplain

Floodplains are areas that can be inundated with water during periods of flooding.

25
Q

What is the term for the process of a river bending and creating curves?

A

Meandering

This process is influenced by the velocity of the water and the sediment load.

26
Q

What shape do V-shaped valleys have?

A

V-shaped

V-shaped valleys are characterized by steep sides and a narrow bottom.

27
Q

What are the rocks in the river referred to as?

A

Bedload

Bedload consists of larger rocks, boulders, stones, and rock particles that are transported by the river.

28
Q

What process contributes to the formation of V-shaped valleys?

A

Downward erosion

Downward erosion occurs as boulders, stones, and rock particles are bounced and scraped along the river channel.

29
Q

What happens to the steep sides of the valley as the river cuts down?

A

They are attacked by weathering

Weathering breaks up and loosens the soil and rock on the valley sides.

30
Q

Fill in the blank: The loosened material is _______ away by the river.

A

carried

The river transports the loosened material downstream.

31
Q

How does the river affect the shape of the valley over time?

A

Cuts down and erodes

The continuous cutting down by the river leads to the characteristic V-shape.

32
Q

What is the result of a steep-sided valley?

A

A steep-sided valley that has the shape of a letter V

This describes the typical formation of a valley due to erosion by water.

33
Q

What are the features of the upper course of a river?

A

Waterfalls are commonly found in the upper course of rivers.

Waterfalls typically occur where rivers flow over steep gradients.

34
Q

How are waterfalls formed?

A

Waterfalls form when a river flows over hard rock and then softer rock, creating a step in the river.

This step eventually leads to the formation of a waterfall.

35
Q

What process deepens a plunge pool at a waterfall?

A

Abrasion and attrition deepen the plunge pool.

These processes involve the erosion caused by the water and sediment carried by the river.

36
Q

Name two examples of famous waterfalls.

A
  • Niagara Falls
  • Angel Falls

Niagara Falls is located between Ontario, Canada, and New York, USA, while Angel Falls is in Venezuela.

37
Q

Fill in the blank: Waterfalls are normally found in the _______ of a river.

A

upper course

The upper course is characterized by steep gradients and features such as waterfalls.

38
Q

True or False: Gorges are formed as a result of waterfalls eroding back upstream.

A

True

Gorges are typically formed by the erosive power of waterfalls.

39
Q

What are the two types of rock involved in waterfall formation?

A
  • Hard rock
  • Soft rock

The interaction between these two types of rock creates the step in the river that leads to a waterfall.

40
Q

What is the role of abrasion in waterfall formation?

A

Abrasion contributes to the deepening of the plunge pool at the base of the waterfall.

This occurs as the force of the falling water erodes the rock below.

41
Q

What is a plunge pool?

A

A plunge pool is a deep basin formed at the base of a waterfall.

It is created by the erosive action of the falling water.

42
Q

Fill in the blank: The Iguazu Falls are located in _______.

A

Argentina

Iguazu Falls is one of the largest and most impressive waterfall systems in the world.

43
Q

What is the primary feature of waterfalls in the upper course of rivers?

A

They are typically steep and erode back upstream.

This characteristic leads to the formation of gorges over time.

44
Q

What is the process that continues over time as erosion of rock?

A

Erosion of the rock continues over time.

45
Q

What happens to hard rock undercut during erosion?

A

An overhang is created.

46
Q

What is created when hard rock is undercut?

A

An overhang.

47
Q

What is transported as a result of erosion?

A

Rock is transported.

48
Q

Fill in the blank: The bout as erosion of the rock continues over _______.

A

time.

Geography River Landforms (1 decks)

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