(R) The Long Profile

Question 1

Describe the upper course

Answer 1

• steep gradient
• steep sides
• narrow
• shallow channel
• vertical erosion
• waterfalls, gorges
• v-shaped valley

Question 2

Describe the lower course

Answer 2

-lateral erosion

• estuaries
• tidal
• floodplains
• widest, deepest channel
• flat
• u-shaped valley

Question 3

From source to mouth, describe how a river changes.

Answer 3

• starts as a v-shaped valley
• there are waterfalls and gorges
• the channel is narrow, and can only erode vertically as it is not powerful
• the valley changes to a u shape as the land becomes less steep
• the river gains energy and can erode sideways (lateral erosion)
• meanders and oxbow lakes form
• the channel becomes wider and deeper
• the river is widest and deepest near the mouth
• there is lateral erosion, flat land, and a u-shaped valley
• there are estuaries and floodplains
• the river is tidal

Question 4

Describe the middle course

Answer 4

• lateral erosion
• meanders, oxbow lakes
• wider, deeper channel

-u-shaped valley