Unit 1C- rivers

Question 1

what is meant by the rivers course

Answer 1

the path of the river as it flows down hill

Question 2

gradient of the upper course

Answer 2

steep

Question 3

gradient of the middle course

Answer 3

medium

Question 4

gradient of the lower course

Answer 4

gentle

Question 5

valley and channel shape of the upper course

Answer 5

V-shaped valley with steep sides

channel is narrow and shallow

Question 6

valley and channel shape of the middle course

Answer 6

gently sloping valley sides

channel is wider and deeper

Question 7

valley and channel shape of the lower channel

Answer 7

Valley is very wide and almost flat

channel is very wide and deep

Question 8

what is vertical erosion

Answer 8

erosion that deepens the valley making it V-shaped

Question 9

what is lateral erosion

Answer 9

erosion that widens the valley and channel

Question 10

what are the four processes of erosion

Answer 10

hydraulic action
abrasion
attrition
solution

Question 11

what are the four types of transportation

Answer 11

traction
suspension
saltation
solution

Question 12

what part of the river are waterfalls and gorges found

Answer 12

the upper course

Question 13

what erosion causes waterfalls

Answer 13

hydraulic action and abrasion

Question 14

what is an interlocking spur

Answer 14

when hillsides interlock with each other

Question 15

what part of the river are meanders formed

Answer 15

in the middle and lower courses

Question 16

The formation of meanders:

•why and where is the river faster

Answer 16

on the outside of the bend it is faster because the river channel is deeper with less friction

Question 17

The formation of meanders:

• why and where is the current slower

Answer 17

at the inside of the bend because the river channel is shallower and more friction

Question 18

The formation of meanders:

• how are slip off slopes formed

Answer 18

eroded material is deposited on the inside of the bend

Question 19

why do meanders turn into ox-bow lakes

Answer 19

because meanders get larger over time

Question 20

first step of formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 20

Erosion cause the outside bends of the meander to get closer

Question 21

second step of formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 21

erosion occurs until only a small but of land is left between the bends (called the neck)

Question 22

third step of the formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 22

the river breaks through this land (the neck)

usually during a flood

Question 23

fourth step of the formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 23

the river then flows along the shortest course (where the neck used to be )

Question 24

fifth step of the formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 24

deposition eventually cuts off the meanders

Question 25

sixth step of the formation of ox-bow lakes

Answer 25

the cut off meander is called an ox-bow lake