RIVER VALLEYS

What does a river's long profile show us

How the steepness of a river can change over the course of the river

What is the course of a river

The path that the river takes from its course

What is a river's course split into

Upper, middle, lower

What happens to the gradient as you go from the upper to lower course

The gradient decreases

What are the features of the upper course

Erosion occurs more
Steep-sided
V shaped valley
Narrow channel

What are the features of the middle course

Gentle slope
Wider and deeper than Upper Course

What are the features of the lower course

Deposition occurs more
Wide and flat
U shaped valley
Wide and deep channel

Where does vertical erosion mostly occur

Upper course

What are the effects of vertical erosion

Makes river valley deeper

Why does vertical erosion ususally happen at the upper course

High levels of turbulence make rough and angular particles that drag along river bed

Where does lateral erosion usually occur

Lower course and middle course

What are the effects of lateral erosion

Makes the river valley wider

What is a cross profile

Cross section of what the river looks like