Fluvial Landforms - Middle, Lower

0.0(0)
Studied by 6 people
call kaiCall Kai
Locked
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/10

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no tags are added yet.

Last updated 5:55 PM on 8/5/26
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced
Call with Kai
Chat

No analytics yet

Send a link to your students to track their progress

11 Terms

1
New cards

Middle Course characteristics

Less steep gradient. Lateral erosion dominant. Valley becomes wider. Meanders begin to form. Alluvial fans possible where river leaves mountains.

2
New cards

Alluvial Fan

Forms when a river flows OFF the mountains onto a FLATTER PLAIN, loses energy, and deposits material in the shape of a FAN. The river divides into separate channels to flow through the deposited material. Creates fertile soil for agriculture.

<p>Forms when a river flows OFF the mountains onto a FLATTER PLAIN, loses energy, and deposits material in the shape of a FAN. The river divides into separate channels to flow through the deposited material. Creates fertile soil for agriculture.</p>
3
New cards

Meander

A bend or curve in a river. Forms due to LATERAL EROSION on the outer bank (erosion) and DEPOSITION on the inner bank (slip-off slope / point bar).

<p>A bend or curve in a river. Forms due to LATERAL EROSION on the outer bank (erosion) and DEPOSITION on the inner bank (slip-off slope / point bar).</p>
4
New cards

Outer bank of a meander

The OUTSIDE of the bend. River flows FASTEST here. EROSION occurs → steep cliff (river cliff) forms. Undercutting occurs.

<p>The OUTSIDE of the bend. River flows FASTEST here. EROSION occurs → steep cliff (river cliff) forms. Undercutting occurs.</p>
5
New cards

Inner bank of a meander

The INSIDE of the bend. River flows SLOWEST here. DEPOSITION occurs → slip-off slope / point bar forms.

<p>The INSIDE of the bend. River flows SLOWEST here. DEPOSITION occurs → slip-off slope / point bar forms.</p>
6
New cards

Oxbow Lake

Forms when a meander becomes so curved that the river cuts through the neck of the meander during a flood. The old meander bend is cut off and forms a crescent-shaped lake.

7
New cards

Braided Stream

Forms when a river carries a HEAVY LOAD and LOSES ENERGY. It deposits alluvium which forms islands in the channel. The river splits into multiple channels flowing around these islands. Example: Orange River near Upington.

<p>Forms when a river carries a HEAVY LOAD and LOSES ENERGY. It deposits alluvium which forms islands in the channel. The river splits into multiple channels flowing around these islands. Example: Orange River near Upington.</p>
8
New cards

Flood Plain

A flat area of land on either side of a river in the lower course, made of alluvium (fine sediment deposited during floods). Very fertile land.

<p>A flat area of land on either side of a river in the lower course, made of alluvium (fine sediment deposited during floods). Very fertile land.</p>
9
New cards

Delta

Forms at the MOUTH of a river where it meets a sea or lake. The river loses energy and deposits its load, building up land. Forms when deposition is faster than the sea can remove it. Example: Nile Delta.

<p>Forms at the MOUTH of a river where it meets a sea or lake. The river loses energy and deposits its load, building up land. Forms when deposition is faster than the sea can remove it. Example: Nile Delta.</p>
10
New cards

Lower Course characteristics

Very flat gradient. River ends in the ocean. River is wide. Deposition is the MAIN process. Landforms: braided streams, levees, meanders, oxbow lakes, floodplains, deltas.

11
New cards

Levee (Natural)

A raised bank of sediment along the sides of a river channel, built up when the river FLOODS and deposits sediment on the floodplain.

<p>A raised bank of sediment along the sides of a river channel, built up when the river FLOODS and deposits sediment on the floodplain.</p>