GCSE AQA Geography - river landscapes in the uk

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to tectonic hazards and river management.

Long Profile of a River

A representation that shows how the gradient of a river changes from its source in the uplands to its mouth.

Upper Course of a River

The part of a river characterized by a steep gradient.

Middle Course of a River

The section of a river where it has a gentler slope.

Lower Course of a River

The area of a river with a very gentle gradient.

Erosion

The process that shapes river landscapes through hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution.

Vertical Erosion

Downward erosion that deepens the river valley, dominant in the upper course.

Lateral Erosion

Sideways erosion that widens the river valley, dominant in the middle and lower courses.

Interlocking Spurs

Hills that the river winds around in the upper course where it lacks energy to erode through them.

Waterfall

Formed when a river flows over hard rock followed by soft rock, leading to faster erosion of the soft rock.

Gorge

A narrow valley formed as a waterfall retreats upstream.

Meanders

Bends in a river formed by faster flow causing erosion on the outside and slower flow causing deposition on the inside.

River Cliff

Formed by erosion on the outside of a meander bend.

Slip-off Slope

Formed by deposition on the inside of a meander bend.

Ox-bow Lake

Formed when erosion narrows the neck of a meander and during floods the river cuts through.

Floodplain

Wide, flat areas on either side of a river formed by deposition during floods and lateral erosion.

Levees

Natural embankments formed when the river floods and deposits heavier sediment close to the banks.

Estuary

The tidal mouth of a river where it meets the sea, often forming mudflats and salt marshes.

Physical Causes of River Flooding

Includes heavy rainfall, prolonged rainfall, snowmelt, steep slopes, and impermeable geology.

Human Causes of River Flooding

Includes urbanisation, deforestation, poor land use, and building on floodplains.

Effects of Flooding

Damage to property and infrastructure, loss of life, water pollution, and disruption to transport and economy.

Hard Engineering Strategies for Flood Management

Includes dams and reservoirs, channel straightening, embankments, and flood relief channels.

Soft Engineering Strategies for Flood Management

Includes flood warnings, preparation, floodplain zoning, planting trees, and river restoration.

Floodplain Zoning

Restricting land use in high-risk flood areas to reduce potential damage.

River Restoration

The process of returning rivers to their natural state to slow water flow and reduce flooding.

Banbury Flood Management Scheme

A scheme designed to manage flood risk, involving construction of an earth embankment, creating a flood storage area, and improving infrastructure.

Benefits of the Banbury Scheme

Protected over 400 homes, reduced risk of flooding, and enhanced local biodiversity.