river landforms Flashcards
what is a river basin
the area of land surrounding a river, where any rain falling on the land eventually makes its way into the river
what are river basins separated by
a boundary called a watershed
what are the 3 key features of a river basin
tributary, source and mouth
what is a tributary
smaller river (stream) that joins a main river
what is a source of a river basin
where a river starts, usually upland area
what is the mouth of a river basin
where a river flows into the sea/lake
what is its course
the path of a river as it flows downhill
how do rivers form channels and valleys
as they flow downhill they erode the landscape
how are V-shaped valleys formed
- upper course of the river, fast flowing water causes particles to be scraped along the river bed
- this causes a downwards erosion by abrasion
- valley sides are exposed to weathering. the weathering material falls down the valley sides into the river channel by abrasion
- vertical erosion deepens the river valley, creating a steep sided V shape
where do waterfalls form
where a river flows over an area of hard rock followed by an area of softer rock
what are meanders
rivers develop large bends in their middle and lower course
where is the current fastest on a meander
on the outside of the bend because the river channel is deeper, there’s less friction to slow water down
what is a flood plain
wide valley in either side of a river which gets flooded
what are levees
natural embankments along the edges of a river channel
where are floodplains and levees found
in the lower course of the river
