16 Questions
What causes the formation of small islands separated by river channels called distributaries?
Deposition of fine material as the river's velocity slows
What leads to the formation of a plunge pool at the base of a waterfall?
The great power of the water at the base of the waterfall
What is the main cause of the formation of gorges over time?
Repetition of the process of waterfall retreat
What leads to the undercutting of harder rock and the subsequent formation of waterfalls?
Erosion by hydraulic action and abrasion of softer rock
What leads to the formation of a steep river cliff in a meander?
Fastest water flow on the outside of the bend causing erosion
What is the result of lateral erosion by meanders?
Widening of the valley floor (floodplain)
What is the characteristic of a flood plain?
Wide, flat area of land on either side of the river
What forms a delta?
Flat area of sand and silt built into the sea
Water flowing around a meander moves fastest on the outside of the bend leading to erosion and the formation of a steep river ______
cliff
A flood plain is the wide, flat area of land on either side of the river in its middle and lower ______
course
Levees are natural embankments of silt along the banks of a river, which are often several metres higher than the flood ______
plain
A delta is a flat area of sand and silt built into the ______
sea
Waterfalls form when a band of hard resistant rock (cap rock) lies over softer, less resistant ______.
rock
The great power of the water at the base of the waterfall causes a plunge pool to ______.
form
Over time the process above is frequently repeated and eventually a steep-sided ______ forms as the waterfall retreats upstream.
gorge
When a river enters the sea carrying large volumes of fine material, the velocity slows and causes the load to be deposited in ______.
layers
Test your knowledge of river landforms with this quiz on meanders and ox-bow lakes. Explore the formation of meanders, erosion, and deposition along the course of a river.
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