Geography - Theme 1 Key words - river processes and landform

Abrasion

Smoothing of rocks as they erode from hitting river bed

Attrition

Erosion from rocks banging together - smaller and rounder

Corrosion

Wearing away of landscape from chemical processes - eg solution

Deposition

The force carrying sediment in river is reduced and material is dropped in the river

Drainage basin

The area a river collects it water from

Gorge

Steep sided narrow valley - usually beside waterfalls

Gulleys

Narrow, V-shaped channel that is cut by water on steep slopes

Hydraulic Action

Erosion caused when air or water are forced into gaps in soil or rocks

Interlocking Spurs

River meanders from side to side so hillsides interlock - features of V-shaped valleys

Lateral Erosion

When a river cuts sideways into it’s own river bank

Load

Sediment carried by a river

Plunge Pool

A pool of water that at the base of a waterfall - erosional feature created by abrasion and hydraulic action

Point bar

a river beach formed of sand and gravel deposited on the inside bend of meander

Retreat

Gradual backward movement of a landform

Slip-off Slope

A gentle slope on a river beach that is formed by the deposition of sediment on the inside of a meander

Source

The start of a river

Tributary

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake

Vertical Erosion

The process by which a river cuts downwards into its bed, deepening its channel, often occurring in the upper course of the river.