geography - distinctive landscapes test

how is an arch formed

• headlands are usually made from resistant rocks that may have weaknesses ( cracks )

• due to erosion processes from waves crashing into headland such as hydraulic action, corrosion and abrasion the crack will widen which will eventually form a cave

• continued erosion will deepen the cave till it breaks through the headland - forming an arch

describe the distribution of uplands and lowlands

• uplands - mountainous areas made from hard/strong rock eg igneous rock like slate - uplands are in the north and west of England in areas such as Scotland or Wales an example of this is the Grampian mountains, upper course also experiences harsh weather conditions such as rain and snow ( due to snow it attracts lots of tourist for activities like skiing)
  

• lowlands - made from softer sedimentary clays - experience dry/ warm climate and have gently flat rolling hills- lowlands distributed near south and east of England an example of a lowland is the midlands.

explain how geology gives rise to distinctive landscapes in the uk - using the river wye case study - introduction

upper course - near the source of the River Wye in the Cambrian Mountains at Plynlimon, the landscape is dominated by hard, impermeable rocks such as gritstone. These resistant rock types are less susceptible to erosion = resulting in steep-sided V-shaped valleys and narrow gorges, as seen around the town of Rhayader. Vertical erosion is the dominant process here due to the steep gradients, causing the river to cut deeply into the landscape. This results in features like waterfalls and rapids, where the river loses height rapidly. The fast-flowing water over these hard rocks creates a rugged, dramatic terrain that characterizes the upper course of the river.

what happens to geology in upper course of river wye case study

upper course -

• near the source of the River Wye in the Cambrian Mountains at Plynlimon, the landscape is dominated by hard, impermeable rocks such as gritstone.

• These resistant rock types are less susceptible to erosion = resulting in steep-sided V-shaped valleys and narrow gorges, as seen around the town of Rhayader.

• Vertical erosion is the dominant process here due to the steep gradients, causing the river to cut deeply into the landscape. This results in features like waterfalls and rapids, where the river loses height rapidly. The fast-flowing water over these hard rocks creates a rugged, dramatic terrain that characterizes the upper course of the river.

what happens in the middle course of the river wye

• As the River Wye flows into its middle course near the town Hereford, the geology changes to softer sedimentary rocks, including mudstone, These rocks are more easily eroded by the river as these are much softer than gritstone, allowing lateral erosion to become the dominant process. This shift leads to the development of wider valleys and expansive floodplains. As well as this In the middle course, the landscape includes a mix of both harder and softer sedimentary rocks this tends to be more resistant to erosion compared to the softer mudstone and shale layers that are also present in this area. This discordant geology creates a landscape where the river erodes different rock types at different rates, leading to distinctive features. Around Hereford, the river's meanders become more pronounced. The softer geology in this area enables the river to erode its banks more effectively, creating sweeping bends and meandering channels. This lateral erosion not only shapes the river's course but also results in fertile agricultural land on the floodplains, which is vital for local farming communities.

what happens at the lower course at the river wye

• In the lower course of the River Wye, as it approaches Chepstow the landscape is predominantly influenced by carboniferous limestone and this stone is highly susceptible to chemical weathering through processes like carbonation, where acidic rainwater reacts with the calcium carbonate, dissolving the rock over time. This process is responsible for creating the iconic limestone cliffs, gorges, and karst features of Symonds Yat. The dissolving action of the acidic water forms deep caves

state two ways this photograph could be used effectively in the data presentation section of the students fieldwork investigation

for a physical geography fieldwork investigation which you have completed, evaluate one technique you used to collect data

how is a spit formed

• a spit is a depositional coastal landform that forms by longshore drift.

• the prevailing wind pushes constructive waves up the beach at an angle as the swash

• the waves then travel at 90 degrees back down the beach due to gravity as backwash

• sediment is pushed up and dragged back down by the beach in this way through longshore drift .

• process continues leading to mass transportation of sediment until mainland ends

• sediment is deposited and built up causing an extension of the mainland out into the sea as a spit

• a salt marsh can form behind spit if an estuary is present due to the mixing of fresh water, salt water and sediment

what are the 3 types weathering

• mechanical

• biological

• chemical

describe the headband to stump formation

• large crack in cliff opened up by hydraulic action

• further erosional process eg abrasion , corrosion and hydraulic cation repeatedly hit against the cliff side widening the crack forming a cave. over time hydraulic action forces through the headland.

describe the formation of a waterfall

• the. river flows over bands of more and less resistant rock

• less resistant rock is more easily eroded

• the river undercuts the harder rock leaving an overhang

• the river forms a plunge pool below the waterfall

• the overhang rock is unsupported and falls into the plunge pool

• the waterfall is moved upstream

• process continues and a gorge is cut back into the hillside

describe the geomorphic process of river wye - upper course

---

• "In the upper course of the River Wye, particularly near Plynlimon and Rhayader, vertical erosion is the primary geomorphic process shaping the landscape.

• The river flows over hard sandstone, and its steep gradient contributes to the formation of distinctive features such as waterfalls and rapids. Key processes include hydraulic action, where water compresses air into rock cracks, leading to erosion, and abrasion, which grinds the riverbed, further deepening the channel.

• EXAMPLE. =, Craig Goch Reservoir, illustrate these processes, This hard rock landscape limits lateral erosion, focusing the river’s energy downward and creating unique geological formations. The resulting diverse habitats enhance local biodiversity and attract tourists, offering recreational activities like kayaking and hiking,

geomorphic processes on river wye - middle course

at middle course near Hereford -

• river encounters softer sedimentary rocks eg mudstone = more susceptible to erosion. in this section - rivers energy distributed more laterally. = development of wide meander.

• lateral erosion on outside bend and deposition on inside bend = lead to formation of distinctive river cliffs In the middle course of the River Wye, various geomorphic processes lead to the formation of distinctive features.

• Here are some of the key features created by these processes:

  1.Meanders:

  • Description: As the River Wye flows through its middle course, it develops broad, sweeping bends known as meanders. These form due to the lateral erosion of the riverbanks.

  • Formation Process: The river erodes the outer bends (cut banks) more aggressively than the inner bends (point bars), leading to the characteristic S-shaped curves of meanders.

  2.River Cliffs:

  • Description: Steep banks or cliffs often form on the outside of meanders due to the erosion process.

  • Formation Process: As the river flows faster on the outer bend, it undercuts the bank, resulting in steep river cliffs that can be several meters high.

  4.Oxbow Lakes:

  • Description: These are crescent-shaped lakes formed when a meander is cut off from the main river channel.

  • Formation Process: Over time, as erosion and deposition continue, the neck of the meander becomes narrower until it is breached. The river then takes a shorter path, leaving the old meander loop isolated as an oxbow lake.

  5.Floodplains:

  • Description: The flat, low-lying areas adjacent to the river that are periodically flooded.

  • Formation Process: Floodplains develop as the river erodes its banks and deposits sediments during floods, creating fertile land that supports diverse ecosystems.

  6.Alluvial Deposits:

  • Description: These are deposits of sediment (sand, silt, and clay) carried by the river and left behind during flooding or low water conditions.

  • Formation Process: As the river's energy decreases, particularly in flood events, it loses the capacity to carry larger sediments, which are deposited on the floodplain or in river channels.

geomorphic process between middle and lower course

deposition / floodplain development

in middle / lower course near ross on wye - deposition = significant geomorphic process as river loses energy on gentler gradient

• during periods of high flooding - wye overflows its bank = deposits fine silt/ alluvium onto floodplain = enriches soil = makes floodplain most fertile agriculture

• EXAMPLE - Herefordshire floodplain- has flat/expansive floodplain = formed by repeated flooding events= support rich / fertile agriculture = benefit with nutrient rich soil - floodplain also act as natural buffer by absorbing excess water during flood

geomorphic process of river wye at lower course

Conclusion

lower course approaching synods yat/ chepstow -

• landscape dominated by carboniferous limestone

• chemical weathering (especially carbonation = significant as it shapes area)

• carbonation - occurs when acidic rainwater reacts w calcium carbonate = overtime rock dissolves - this process = deep limestone gorge created at symonds yet

• EG - king Arthurs cave = formed by carboniferous limestone reaction

• wye meets severn estuary chepstow

• - mudflatsnear chepstow= result of river reduced energy as it enters estuary

• fine grained sediments carried from upstream = are deposited in low energy environment= create habitats fro species and contribute to ecology of region

management of river wye

• floodplain zoning - specific areas of river wye are purposfully used to be flooded - prevents important areas specificareea eg - letton lake ( storage lake above town for storing surplus water )

  tree planting - used to stabilise the slopes = reduce mass movement

Describe formation of levee

Levees occur in the lower course of a river when there is an increase in the volume of water flowing downstream and flooding occurs. Sediment that has been eroded further upstream is transported downstream. When the river floods, the sediment spreads out across the floodplain.