Rivers

Question 1

List two features you can find in the upper course.

Answer 1

• Potholes

- Waterfalls and gorges

Question 2

List two features you can find in the middle course and describe+explain them.

Answer 2

• Meanders: wide sweeping bends formed by a combination of lateral erosion and deposition.
• Ox-bow lake: when the neck of the meander becomes very narrow, the meander cuts off.

Question 3

List two features you can find in the lower course and how they are formed.

Answer 3

• Levees: when a river floods, the largest part of the load is deposited on the edge causing a natural bank.
• Deltas: deltas form as the rivers meet the sea and lose velocity, leading to materials being deposited.

Question 4

Pros of floods:

Answer 4

• Recharges groundwater stores.
• Alluvium is deposited on flood plains
• Pollutants are washed off land

Question 5

Cons of floods:

Answer 5

• Deaths + destruction.
• Waterborne diseases
• Fires may occur due to electricity.

Question 6

Name the 4 processes of river erosion

Answer 6

Hydraulic action
Abrasion
Attrition
Solution

Question 7

Name the 4 processes of river transport

Answer 7

Saltation
Traction
Suspension
Solution

Question 8

How are waterfalls+gorges formed?

Answer 8

• Formed when a horizontal layer of hard rock lies over a soft rock
• A plunge pool develops
• The overhanging hard rock collapses
• Waterfall retreats creating a gorge

Question 9

What are potholes, and how are they formed?

Answer 9

• They are smooth rounded hollows in the bedrock

- Formed by stones trapped in the hollow that corrode.

Question 10

Name the three types of delta:

Answer 10

• Arcuate
• Bird’s foot
• Cuspate

Question 11

Name 6 coastal managements

Answer 11

• Sea walls
• Revetments
• Gabions
• Groynes
• Beach nourishment
• ‘Managed retreat’