of a River
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Learning objectives
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Saltation
Suspension
Solution
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Deposition
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Learning objectives
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1) Meanders
2) Oxbow Lakes
3) Flood plains and
Leves
4) Deltas
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DEPOSITION and
EROSION create
these landforms
DEPOSITION created
these landforms
Learning objectives
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Meanders
As the course of a river approaches its
middle stages it flows over flatter land.
Lateral erosion dominates as the river
swings in large bends known as
meanders. Meanders constantly change
their shape and position.
Water is pushed to the outer bend .
This reduces friction with the bed and
banks. So the river has more energy
for transporting material which can
erode the outside bank via abrasion.
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Meanders
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Oxbow lakes
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new course
of the river
oxbow lake
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Floodplains
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Floodplain formation
Floodplain formation
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sands
Delta formation
Deltas are found at the mouth of a
river, where the river meets the sea.
At this point the river is carrying too
much load for its velocity and so
deposition occurs.
The top of the delta is a fairly flat
surface. This is where the coarsest
river load is dropped. The finer
particles are carried into deeper
water. The silt is dropped to form a
steep slope on the edge of the delta
while the clay stays in suspension
until it reaches the deeper water.
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Delta formation
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Examination question
Study the photograph below:
B
A
C
Name the 3 features labelled A, B and C (3)
Choose one of the features and explain its formation. You
may use diagrams to help you.(6)
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rapids
meanders
oxbow lakes
interlocking spurs
floodplains
leves
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Key ideas
Processes of erosion, transport and deposition operate
to create the landforms of the middle and lower course
of a river.
There are four types of transport: traction, saltation,
suspension and solution.
The main direction of erosion is lateral.
Erosion and deposition contribute to the formation of
meanders and ox-bow lakes.
Deposition is the main process contributing to the
formation of flood plains, leves and deltas.
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