Section 1 - Rivers (Erosional And Depositional River Landforms)

Question 1

What is a meander?

Answer 1

When a river is eroding and depositing material at the same time forming large bends in the river

Question 2

Explain the process for forming meanders

Answer 2

1. The current is faster on the outside of the bend because the river is deeper so there is less friction to slow the water down, so it has more energy. So more erosion happens on the outside of the bend, forming river cliffs.
2. The current is slower on the inside of the bend because the river is shallower so there is more friction to slow the water down, so it has less energy. So eroded material is deposited on the inside of the bend, forming slip off slopes

Question 3

What does erosion on the outside bend of a meander cause?

Answer 3

River cliffs

Question 4

What does deposition on the inside of a meander cause?

Answer 4

Slip off slopes

Question 5

Where in a meander is there more energy?

Answer 5

The outside of the bend

Question 6

Why is there more energy on the outside of the bend in a meander?

Answer 6

Because there is less friction because the river channel is deeper

Question 7

Where is there less energy in a meander?

Answer 7

The inside of the bend

Question 8

Why is there less energy in the inside of the bend in the meander?

Answer 8

Because there’s more friction because the river channel is shallower

Question 9

Where is the direction of the fastest current?

Answer 9

Hitting the outside of each bend, therefore causing diagonal routes between bends

Question 10

What happens on the outside of the bend in a meander?

Answer 10

Erosion

Question 11

What happens in the inside of a bend in a meander?

Answer 11

Deposition

Question 12

What is an ox bow lake?

Answer 12

Where meanders grow over time and get cut off

Question 13

Explain the process of forming an ox bow lake?

Answer 13

1. Erosion caused the outside bends to get closer…
2. Until there is only a small bit of land between the bends (called the neck)
3. The river breaks through this land, usually during a flood…
4. And the river flows along the shortest course
5. Deposition eventually cuts off the meander, forming an ox bow lake

Question 14

When does the river usually break through the land in the process of forming an ox bow lake?

Answer 14

During a flood

Question 15

On which courses do meanders and ox bow lakes form?

Answer 15

Middle and lower