Page 65 - Knowledge Organiser Yr9 24-25

Knowledge Base: Geography Rivers Year 9 | Summer Term
4. What are the characteristics of rivers?
4.1
river course
The path of a river across the surface of the land, usually to the sea. It flows in a channel.
4.2
source
Where the river begins. This is usually in hills or mountains where water collects from natural springs.
4.3
mouth
Where a river ends and enters another larger body of water e.g. the sea.
1. How does a river shape the landscape?
1.1 erosion
1.2 transportation
The wearing away of rock and soil found and banks. How rivers picks up and carries material downstream.
1.3
deposition
This is when a river drops (deposits) carrying –It usually occurs when the and energy is reduced.
2. What are the 4 erosional processes?
2.1
hydraulic action
The force of the river against the banks can cause air to be trapped in cracks and crevices. The pressure weakens the banks and gradually wears it away.
2.2
abrasion
The force of the water in the river carrying stones and other materials grinds the bedload like a piece of sandpaper.
2.3
attrition
Rocks being carried by the river smash together and break into smaller, smoother and rounder particles.
2.4
solution
Soluble particles are dissolved by weak acids in the water.
4.4 tributaries
4.5 confluence
4.6 long profile
A freshwater stream that feeds into a larger stream or river. The point where a tributary meets the mainstream.
A way of displaying the slope of a river along its entire course.
4.7
drainage basin
The area of land drained by a major river and its tributaries. All rivers flow from the source (often in the mountains)
to the mouth (the sea).
5. What typical landforms will I find on a river?
5.1
waterfall
Sudden drop of a river or stream over a vertical or very steep slope- It often forms where the river meets a band of softer rock after flowing over an area of harder rock.
5.2
gorge
A narrow, steep sided valley, often formed as a waterfall retreats upstream.
5.3
valley
Low lying areas of land between hills or mountains, normally with a river running through them.
3. What are the 4 transportation processes?
3.1
solution
Minerals are dissolved in the water and carried along in solution (in the water).
3.2 suspension
3.3 saltation
3.4 traction
Fine light material is carried along in the flow of the water. Small pebbles and stones are bounced along the river bed. Large boulders and rocks are rolled along the river bed.
5.4 meander
A bend in a river.
5.5
oxbow lake
An arc-shaped lake which has been cut off from a meandering river.
6. How do rivers effect human populations?
6.1
flood
Occurs when river volume is larger than the size of the channel and water spills out onto the floodplain and other areas creating flood risk.
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