Landforms Flashcards
How are V-Shaped valleys formed?
They are formed through vertical erosion caused by the river and weathering of the soil above.
How are waterfalls formed?
The waterfall forms because there is softer rock below the hard rock, and it is easier to erode.
What is a meander and how are they formed?
They are a bend or curve in a lake. It starts as a slight bend and develops into a wide looking ‘U’ shape. So the outer bank gets eroded, but material is deposited at the inner bank. The outer bank eventually gets worn away. Over time, the meander grows into a loop.
What is an Ox-Bow lake?
A narrow U-Shaped lake near a river. It’s a meander that got cut off.
How is a gorge formed?
The hard rock erodes very slowly. Erosion of the soft rock leaves a ledge of hard rock and a hollow called a plunge pool. In time, the ledge falls into the plunge pool. The debris from it helps to speed up erosion. 1-3 steps are repeated. The waterfall gradually retreats upstream, carving out a gorge.i
