(R) Definitions (rivers)

Question 1

channel

Answer 1

the part of the river valley occupied by the water itself

Question 2

spur

Answer 2

a ridge of more resistant rock around which a river has to wind as it moves downstream (upper course)

Question 3

interlocking spurs

Answer 3

a feature of v-shaped valleys

where the river is forced to swing from side to side around the spurs, so the hillsides interlock

Question 4

depostition

Answer 4

the laying down of material in the landscape

occurs when the force carrying the sediment is reduced

Question 5

hard engineering

Answer 5

Artificial structures such as sea walls or concrete river embankments.

Question 6

lateral erosion

Answer 6

The process by which a river can cut sideways into its own river bank.

Question 7

plunge pool

Answer 7

A pool at the base of a waterfall formed by erosion (abrasion and hydraulic action)

Question 8

river beach/slip off slope

Answer 8

a river beach formed of sand and gravel that is deposited on the inside bend of a meander

Question 9

transport

Answer 9

the movement of material through the landscape

Question 10

upper course

Answer 10

the source area of a river, often in an upland or mountainous region

Question 11

vertical erosion

Answer 11

when the force of the water erodes the landscape downwards

Question 12

hydraulic action

Answer 12

the power of the volume of water moving in the river

erosion caused when water and air are forced into gaps in rock or soil

Question 13

gorge

Answer 13

a narrow, steep sided valley

Question 14

mouth

Answer 14

the point where the river enters the sea or lake

Question 15

long profile

Answer 15

a line representing the course of the river from its source to its mouth

Question 16

solution (transportation)

Answer 16

minerals from the rocks are dissolved in water

Question 17

load

Answer 17

material of any size carried by the river

Question 18

solution/corrosion (erosion)

Answer 18

dissolving of certain types of rocks such as chalk and limestone by rainwater

Question 19

attrition

Answer 19

load knocks into other parts of load - bits break off so becomes smaller and smoother

Question 20

traction

Answer 20

the largest material is dragged along the bed of the river

Question 21

suspension

Answer 21

the smallest clay sized particles are easily carried by the stream

Question 22

source

Answer 22

the start of a river

Question 23

meander

Answer 23

a bend or curve in the river channel

Question 24

abrasion

Answer 24

form of erosion caused by friction

larger load carried by the river hits the bed and banks - bits break off

Question 25

saltation

Answer 25

larger particles that bounce along the bottom of the riverbed

Question 26

floodplain

Answer 26

the flat area adjacent to the river channel that is covered by water during a flood

Question 27

ox bow lake

Answer 27

an arc-shaped lake/meander which has been cut off from a river

Question 28

discharge

Answer 28

the amount of water carried by/flowing through a river channel (or aquifer)

measured in cubic metres/second (cumecs)

Question 29

lower course

Answer 29

the section of a river that is closer to its mouth