Meanders and Oxbow Lakes Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are two landforms created through a combination of erosion and deposition?
Meanders and ox-bow lakes
These landforms result from the dynamic processes of river systems.
What is a meander?
A bend or curve in the river
Meanders are characteristic features of rivers in lowland areas.
What type of erosion is dominant in lowland areas where meanders form?
Lateral erosion
Lateral erosion occurs as the river erodes sideways, widening the valley.
Where is the fastest water flow found in a meander?
On the outside of the river bends
This fast flow contributes to significant erosion of the riverbank.
What feature is formed when erosion undercuts the outside riverbank in a meander?
A river cliff
The river cliff is a steep bank created by the erosive forces of the river.
What happens to the riverbank as it collapses in a meander?
The edge of the meander moves further out
This process contributes to the migration of the meander across the valley.
Where is the slowest flow found in a meander, and what does it lead to?
On the inside of the river bends, leading to deposition
This slow flow allows sediment to settle, forming features like slip-off slopes.
What is a slip-off slope?
A slope formed by deposition on the inside of a river bend
It contrasts with the steep, eroded bank on the outside of the bend.
What occurs with distance downstream regarding meanders?
The size of the meanders increases
This is due to continued erosion and sediment deposition processes.
What can happen to a meander neck during a flood?
The river may cut through the neck, forming a straighter course
This process can significantly alter the river’s path.
What is formed when a meander is cut off from the main river channel?
An oxbow lake
Oxbow lakes are crescent-shaped bodies of water that remain after a meander is abandoned.
What leads to deposition at the entry and exit from a meander?
Slower flow of water
The change in water velocity allows sediments to settle, contributing to the formation of oxbow lakes.
As erosion continues, what happens to the neck of the meander?
It gets narrower
