River Erosional Landforms

Question 1

List river erosional landforms (3)

Answer 1

• interlocking spurs
• waterfalls
• gorges

Question 2

How do gorges form?

Answer 2

• Gradual retreat of a waterfall over 1000s of years.
• collapse of caves.
• huge quantities of water from melting glaciers - eg. Cheddar gorge 8000 years ago.

Question 3

How does a waterfall form?

Answer 3

1) River meets a band of soft rock after flowing on hard rock.
2) The softer rock is worn away quicker by hydraulic action and abrasion.
3) The caprock (harder rock) is undercut and collapses.
4) A plunge pool is formed through abrasion.
5) The back wall is further eroded
6) process repeats many times and will cause the waterfall to retreat upstream