3. Geomorphology (rivers and coasts)

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Abrasion - this is when pebbles grind along a rock platform or cliff base much like sandpaper. Over time the rock becomes smooth.

Question 2

Attrition

Answer 2

When rocks that the river is carrying knock against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded.

Question 3

Braiding

Answer 3

Braided rivers are a type of river that form a network of many branches within a channel.

Question 4

Confluence

Answer 4

The point where two rivers (including tributaries) meet

Question 5

Corrosion

Answer 5

the process of rocks and pebbles carried by the waves wearing away rocks as they are thrown against cliffs.

Question 6

Drainage Basin

Answer 6

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries is called
the drainage of river basin

Question 7

Erosion

Answer 7

The wearing away of material. Erosion can
occur by hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition or
corrosion/solution.

Question 8

Fault

Answer 8

A line of weakness in rock

Question 9

Floodplain

Answer 9

the flat area either side of a river which os regularly flooded

Question 10

Gorge

Answer 10

A deep, steep-sided valley

Question 11

Hydraulic Action

Answer 11

This is the sheer power of the water as it smashes against the river banks. Air becomes trapped in the cracks of the river bank and bed, and causes the rock to break apart.

Question 12

Impermeable

Answer 12

not allowing water to pass through

Question 13

Infiltration

Answer 13

The downward movement of water from the surface into the soil

Question 14

Interception

Answer 14

This refers to the storage of water on leaf and plant stems

Question 15

Lower Course

Answer 15

The final stage of the river, usually where it meets the sea.

Question 16

Middle Course

Answer 16

The section of the river which comes between the upper and lower course.

Question 17

Mouth

Answer 17

the point where a river enters a sea, ocean, or lake

Question 18

Oxbow lake

Answer 18

the cut-off remnant of a meander found in the lower course of a river

Question 19

Porous

Answer 19

A rock with minute air spaces between the minerals.

Question 20

Permeable Rapids

Answer 20

Permeable rapids are areas in rivers or streams where water can permeate through porous rocks, affecting water flow and hydrological processes.

Question 21

Plunge pool

Answer 21

a deep pool which is formed by erosion at the base of the waterfall

Question 22

Reservoir

Answer 22

a lake behind a dam

Question 23

River cliff

Answer 23

a steep, undercut area on the outside of a river meander

Question 24

Run off

Answer 24

The sum of all the water flowing over the drainage basin’s surface

Question 25

Saltation

Answer 25

Saltation involves pebble-sized particles bouncing along the riverbed, which also most commonly happens near the source.

Question 26

Scree

Answer 26

Loose rocks that fall and gather at the bottom of hills.

Question 27

Slip-off slope

Answer 27

a gently-sloping area formed on the inside of a river meander.

Question 28

Solution

Answer 28

When the water dissolves certain types of rocks, eg limestone.

Question 29

Source

Answer 29

the beginning of a river

Question 30

Spur

Answer 30

a rocky projection found in the upper section of a river's cours.

Question 31

Suspension

Answer 31

the transport of silt in water

Question 32

Throughflow

Answer 32

The movement of water through the lower soil towards rivers, and groundwater flow.

Question 33

Traction

Answer 33

the transport of boulders in a rolling motion in water

Question 34

Tributary

Answer 34

a river joining a larger river

Question 35

Upper Course

Answer 35

the section of a river near its source, dominated by the processes of erosion

Question 36

Waterfall

Answer 36

a point on a river where water falls vertically

Question 37

Watershed

Answer 37

an area of highland separating river basins

Question 38

Water table

Answer 38

The water table is the underground depth at which the soil and rock are fully saturated with water.

Question 39

Weathering

Answer 39

The breakdown of material in-situ. Weathering can be either physical, biological or chemical.

Question 40

Transportation

Answer 40

Once material has been eroded it is carried along by the river. Rivers transport material by traction, saltation, suspension or solution, or floatation.

Question 41

Deposition

Answer 41

Where the river loses energy and drops (deposits) its load (the material being carried).

Question 42

What are the characteristics and processes of the Upper Valley?

Answer 42

Vertical erosion with Hydraulic action, abrasion & attrition dominant processes Traction and saltation at high flow Load size is large and angular V shaped valleys

Question 43

What are the characteristics and processes of the Middle Course?

Answer 43

Channel is deeper and wider Vertical erosion decreasing in importance, more lateral erosion and deposition. Suspension is the main transportation type Load becomes smaller and less angular

Question 44

What are the characteristics and processes of the Lower Course?

Answer 44

Channel is at its widest and deepest, and may be tidal Deposition more important than erosion Fine material deposited Large amount of load but the size is very small and very rounded

Question 45

What is a long profile

Answer 45

LONG profile is the change in gradient with distance. It starts off steep but reduces with distance from source,and has a CONCAVE profile

Question 46

How are V-shaped Valleys formed

Answer 46

1) river erodes downward. 2) the sides are cut down and attacked by weathering. 3) the loosened material slowly creeps down the slope by gravity or is washed by rainwater. 4) it results in a steep sided valley with the shape of a V.

Question 47

What are Meanders formed by?

Answer 47

Depositition and Erosion

Question 48

How Waterfalls are formed?

Answer 48

Question 49

How are Floodplains formed?

Answer 49

Question 50

How are Ox-bow lakes formed?

Question 51

What are Deltas?

Answer 51

rivers empty water & sediment into seas/lakes/oceans

Question 52

What are Causes of Floods

Answer 52

Climatic conditions e.g. heavy rain, physical features e.g. steep-sided valley and human factors e.g. urbanisation.

Question 53

What are the Effects of Floods?

Answer 53

Buildings destroyed/damaged, people/animals drown, infrastructure damages, crops ruined, insurance claims, drinking water contaminated.

Question 54

What are the 2 ways of Managing floods?

Answer 54

Hard engineering is more expensive and uses more raw materials to build structures that alter the existing environment. Soft engineering works with the natural environment to prevent flooding. Some examples: