Rivers

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Materials carried by the river which hits the river sides and bed causing bits to break off.

Question 2

Attrition

Answer 2

Materials carried by the river, hit and collide into each other causing them to get smaller, smoother and rounder.

Question 3

Solution (erosion)

Answer 3

Rock breaking down in the river due to a chemical reaction. e.g. limestone and chalk.

Question 4

River bank

Answer 4

Sides of the river channel

Question 5

Cross profile

Answer 5

A slice taken across a river showing how wide and deep it is.

Question 6

Floodplain

Answer 6

Low lying land either side of a river which regularly floods.

Question 7

Waterfall

Answer 7

Erosional landform found in the upper course of the river.

Question 8

Hydraulic action

Answer 8

Air becomes trapped in the cracks of river bed and bank, and causes the rock to break apart.

Question 9

Infiltration

Answer 9

Water soaking downwards into the soil.

Question 10

Confluence

Answer 10

The point where two tributary’s meet.

Question 11

Interlocking spurs

Answer 11

Found in the upper course. Created as a river flows around, rather than through, hillsides.

Question 12

Lateral erosion

Answer 12

Erosion of the sides of the channel causing the river channel to widen.

Question 13

River bed

Answer 13

The bottom of the river channel.

Question 14

Long profile

Answer 14

A slice taken along a river from source to mouth. Shows the changing gradient.

Question 15

Meanders

Answer 15

The bends in a river. Typically found in the middle/ lower course.

Question 16

Saltation

Answer 16

Small pebbles being bounced along the river bed, in the middle course of the river.

Question 17

Mouth

Answer 17

The end of a river - which flows into either a lake, sea or ocean.

Question 18

Pools

Answer 18

Deeper faster moving water when the river flows around an obstacle.

Question 19

Oxbow lake

Answer 19

A horse shoe shaped lake left behind when a meander is cut off.

Question 20

Plunge Pool

Answer 20

A deep part of the river found at the base of a waterfall.

Question 21

Suspension

Answer 21

Very small bits of sediment being carried along in the lower course

Question 22

Source

Answer 22

Where the river begins, usually, but not always, in upland areas

Question 23

Surface Runoff

Answer 23

Water running over the surface of the land and into the river.

Question 24

V- shaped valley

Answer 24

A valley created by vertical erosion (when the river cuts down) found in the upper course.

Question 25

Watershed

Answer 25

Area from which water drains into the river channel

Question 26

Estuary

Answer 26

Tidal part of the river where freshwater from the river merges with saltwater from the sea.

Question 27

Levee

Answer 27

A ridge of sediment deposited naturally alongside a river by overflowing water.

Question 28

Drainage Basin

Answer 28

The area drained by a river and its tributaries.

Question 29

Riffle

Answer 29

Slow moving shallow water moving over an obstacle.

Question 30

Traction

Answer 30

Large boulders being rolled along the river bed in the upper course of a river.

Question 31

Tributary

Answer 31

Smaller river flowing into the main river channel.

Question 32

Gorge

Answer 32

Steep sided valley caused by a waterfall retreating.

Question 33

Helicoidal Flow

Answer 33

Corkscrew flow of a river forcing the river to move from side to side.

Question 34

Slip off slope

Answer 34

Beach that occurs on the inside of a meander due to deposition.

Question 35

River cliff

Answer 35

Steep sided outside bend of meander due to deposition.

Question 36

Undercutting

Answer 36

Erosion of material at the foot of a cliff or a bank, e.g. foot of a waterfall or river bank on the outside of a meander.

Question 37

Overhang

Answer 37

Hard rock which lays above softer rock which is undercut by a waterfall eventually becomes unstable and collapses due to gravity.

Question 38

Alluvium

Answer 38

Sand, silt and gravel which is deposited in floodplains. Very fertile.