River Landscapes

Question 1

River upper course

Answer 1

-many tributaries
-narrow, v-shaped
-downward erosion
-fast flow

Question 2

River middle course

Answer 2

-valley sides are less steep
-sideways erosion
-wider

Question 3

River lower course

Answer 3

-largest volume of water
-deposition
-near mouth

Question 4

How do interlocking spurs form?

Answer 4

River lacks energy to erode resistant rocks so re-routes in a zig zag around

Question 5

How do waterfalls/ gorges form?

Answer 5

1) band of hard rock lies on top of soft rock
2) soft rock erodes faster, undercutting the hard rock
3) overhang collapses p, forming a plunge pool
4) process repeats, waterfall retreats upstream (gorge)

Question 6

Meander and ox bow lake formation

Answer 6

1) water travels fastest on the outer bend of the river so lateral erosion occurs on the outer bend, forming a river cliff, and deposition occurs at the inner bend, creating a slip off slope
2) continued erosion causes outer bends to get closer
3) river breaks through neck
4) river travels through fastest routes and deposition cuts off the meander, forming an ox bow lake

Question 7

Levees formation

Answer 7

1) during a flood the river deposits material on the sides, building up the flood planes, creating levees