River Landforms Flashcards
Upper course examples:
V-shaped valleys Gorges Waterfalls Narrow River Channel Tributies
Middle course examples:
Meanders
Bed load
Lower course examples:
Ox-bow lakes Sand and silt Flood plains Levees Deltas River mouth
What is a meander?
A meander is a bend in a watercourse or river.
What is an ox-bow lake?
An ox-bow lake is the loop that was cut off from the meander - main channel. The cutoff loop is called an ox-bow lake.
How is a waterfall produced?
Soft rock erodes more quickly, undercutting the hard rock. The hard rock is left overhanging and because it isn’t supported, it eventually collapses. The fallen rocks crash into the plunge pool- they swirl around causing more erosion. This process is repeated and the waterfall moves upstream.
How is a gorge formed?
A steep sided gorge is formed as the waterfall retreats.
What process is the deltas?
Deposition
How are V-shaped valleys produces?
As the river erodes, the landscape bends to avoid areas of hard rock.
Where are flood plains and levees found?
Where the land is flattest
How are flood plains formed?
A river may overflow its banks during times of heavy rain. When the river recedes the river deposits the material it is carrying, leaving behind silt.
What is a floodplain?
An area around a river that is covered in times of flood.
