AQA Rivers

Abrasion

• erosion due to the force of water

• erosion due to rocks scraping away the land

• erosion due to chemicals

• erosion due to wind

Attrition

• rocks dissolve in water

• rocks bounce along the river bed

• rocks scrape away at the land

• rocks smash together and break into smaller, smoother particles

Deposition

• occurs when material transported by a river or waves is picked up to increasing energy

• occurs when material transported by a river or waves is dropped due to losing energy

Mechanical break-down of rocks due to changes in temperature

• Chemical weathering

• Freeze-thaw weathering

Saltation

• Particles bounce along the river bed or sea floor

• Pebbles roll along the river bed or sea floor

• Particles suspended within the water

• Dissolving of chemicals

Narrow, steep-sided valley that is usually found downstream from a waterfall

• Floodplain

• Interlocking spurs

• V-shaped valley

• Gorge

Restricting different land uses to certain locations on the floodplain - areas close to the river are kept clear of high-value land uses.

• River restoration

• Floodplain zoning

• Flood warnings

• Flood relief channels

Which is NOT a method of transportation?

• Abrasion
• Saltation
• Traction
• Suspension

Where would you find a waterfall?

• Upper course
• Middle Course
• Lower Course

What landform can you see in the picture?

• Floodplain
• Delta
• Waterfall
• Oxbow lake