Distinctive landscapes

Arch

An erosional landform where a cave has been eroded straight through a headland

Attrition

Erosion of materials as it knocks together

Bay

The area between two headlands which has been eroded at a faster rate, usually lower and often contains a beach

Abrasion

Particles being carried by the river water or sea waves are thrown against the riverbanks or coast line

Deposition

The process by which sediment being transported is laid down

Discharge

The amount of water passing a given point in a river per unit of time; usually measured in cubic metres per second or CUMECS

Erosion

Process by which rock, sand and soil are broken down and carried away

Floodplain

The flat area of land either side of a river channel forming the valley floor, which may be flooded

Geomorphic processes

Processes which result in a change in the shape of the earth; from Geo meaning the Earth and morph meaning to change shape

Gorge

A narrow passage formed as a waterfall erodes backwards

Headland

An area of land that extends out into the sea, usually higher than the surrounding land; also called a point

Hydraulic action

Erosive process which involves the pressure of water hitting a surface, compressing air into any cavities which exist and resulting in the removal of rock fragments overtime

Igneous

When referring to rocks, this means a rock formed within the interior of the earth, and shaped by heat

Impermeable

A surface or substance that does not allow water to pass through it

Levee

Raised Banks along a river that helped to reduce the risk of flooding

Longshore drift

The movement of sediments along a stretch of coastline as a result of the wind and swash approaching the beach at an angle

Mass movement

The downslope movement of material due to gravity

Meander

A sinuous Bend in a river that results from the flow of water along it

Metamorphic

Rocks that have been changed as a result of heat and pressure being applied to them over long periods of time

Oxbow Lake

A horse shoe shaped lake that forms when meander is separated (cut off) from the main river channel as a result of a erosion

Permeable

A surface or substance that does allow water to pass through it

Plunge pool

A pool formed at the base of a waterfall

Saltation

The hopping or bouncing of sediment along the river or seabed

Sedimentary

Rocks that have been produced from layers of sediment, usually at the bottom of the sea

Solution

The dissolving of soluble materials by acidic water

Spit

A depositional landform formed at a change in direction of the coastline, due to longshore drift

Stack

A coastal feature that results from erosion; a section of the headland that has become separated from the mainland and stands as a pilar of rock

Stump

A coastal feature that results from the collapse of a stack to form a protrusion of rock close to the sea surface

Suspension

The process by which small sediment is carried along by the river water or waves

Traction

The pushing or rolling of large sediment along river or seabed

Transport

The movement of material by range of processes

V-shaped valley

And erosional land with deeply sloping straight sides usually found in the upper course of a river valley

Weathering

Disintegration or decomposition of material in situ, by physical, chemical or biological processes