River landforms Flashcards
How are v-shaped valleys formed and where on the river are they found?
They are formed through vertical erosion and weathering and they are found on the upper course of the river.
How are waterfalls and gorges formed and where on the river are they found?
They are found on the upper course of the river. When a river flows over hard rock that overlays softer rock, a waterfall can form. Gorges are formed when waterfalls retreat over time.
How are meanders and ox-bow lakes formed and where on the river are they found?
They are found on the middle course of the river. Meanders are bends in the river’s course and the water can use surplus energy to cause lateral erosion. The meanders then bend enough so that the neck is disappears as the river meets before the meander. Deposition can then occur cutting off the meander from the new river forming an ox-bow lake.
How are floodplains and levees formed and where on the river are they found?
The floodplain is often a wide, flat area caused by shifting along the valley. Levees occur in the lower course of a river when there is an increase in the volume of water flowing downstream and flooding occurs.
How are estuaries and deltas formed and where on the river are they found?
Deltas form at the mouths of rivers that transport enough sediment to build outward. In contrast, estuaries are present where the ocean or lake waters flood up into the river valley. They are both found in the lower course of the river.
