Hydrosphere: Explain the Formation of a Meander/Ox-Bow Lake Flashcards
What does the first meander diagram look like?
A slightly winding river going horizontally. Teal and blueish purple dots for pools and riffles
What are pools?
Pools are areas of deep water with less turbulence
What are riffles?
Riffles are areas of shallow water with more turbulence
What is the second diagram of a meander like?
VERY similar, but instead of the different coloured dots there is a purple spiral pattern.
What does the purple spiral represent?
Helicodal flow. This moves water across the river channel, causing river cliffs on the outside and beaches on the inside.
What does the third meander diagram look like?
Stronger meandering, with bits on the inside and outside bend.
Where does the water move slower? What does this form? (this is relevant for the last meander diagram AND the first ox-bow one)
Water moves slower on the inside bend, causing deposition.
Where does the water move faster? What does this form? (this is relevant for the last meander diagram AND the first ox-bow one)
Water moves faster on the outside bend, causing erosion (explain processes)
What does the first ox-bow diagram look like?
Very similar to the last meander one, except it’s focused on just one meander.
What information is in the first ox-bow diagram?
-What riffles are
-What pools are
-What part of the river moves slower & cause
-What part of the river moves faster & cause (+ processes)
What does the second diagram of an ox-bow lake look like?
Meander is narrowing, looks as if it’s away to be cut off.
What happens during a flood?
During a flood, the river has more energy to erode and may cut through the neck of a meander.
What does the third diagram of an ox-bow lake look like?
Slightly meandering river with a horse shoe shape next to it which used to be a part of the meander.
How is the old neck sealed off?
Deposition seals off the old meander neck which may eventually dry up (talking about the lake.)
