Upper course

Landform

1 Steep-sided V-shaped valleys

Elaboration
1. Vertical erosion in the
river channel results in the
formation of a steep sided
valley
2. Over time the sides of
this valley are weakened by
weathering processes and
continued vertical erosion at
the base of the valley
3. Gradually mass
movement of materials
occurs down the valley
sides, gradually creating the
distinctive v-shape.

River Landforms
Middle course
Landform
Elaboration
1. Large volume and
energy ->
2. River erodes sideways,
resulting in valleywidening
3. Mainly
lateral erosion, hence not
much valley deepening,
thus no v-shape

Wider valleys

Spurs are ridges of more

resistant rock around which
a river is forced to wind as it
passes downstream in the
upper course. Interlocking
spurs form where the river
is forced to swing from side
to side around these more
resistant ridges.

Water flows fastest on the

concave bank of the river
where the channel is
deeper (pools) and there
is less friction. This is due
to water being flung
towards the concave bank
as it flows around the
meander, this causes
greater erosion which
widens the channel.
The reduction in friction
and increase in energy
results in greater erosion.
This lateral erosion results
in undercutting of bank
and the formation of a
steep sided river cliff.

Meanders (middle and

lower)

2 Interlocking spurs
Rapids
- The river flows through
band of hard and soft rocks
and will erode the softer
rocks.
- The harder rocks are more
resistant to erosion.
- Steps will be cut between
The hard and soft bands of
rock resulting in the
formation of rapids.

3 Rapids

Oxbow lakes

Water flows fastest on the

concave bank of the river
where the channel is
deeper (pools) and there
is less friction. This is due
to water being flung
towards the concave bank
as it flows around the
meander, this causes
greater erosion which
widens the channel.
The reduction in friction
and increase in energy
results in greater erosion.
This lateral erosion results
in undercutting of bank
and the formation of a
steep sided river cliff.

Waterfall
- The river flows through
band of hard and soft rocks.
- It will erode the softer
rocks as the harder rocks
are more resistant to
erosion.
- The river undercuts the
soft rocks under the hard
rocks, causing rocks to fall.
- The river will plunge
downwards where the hard
rock end to the softer rock
beneath.

4 Waterfall

Plunge pools
Plunge pool
- Enlarged & deepened
by the hydraulic action
of the plunging water as
it lands on the bottom of
the river beds with great
force
- Rock debris, swirled
about by the turbulent
waters at the base of the
waterfall, erodes the
depression intensively
by abrasion to further
enlarge & deepen it.

Lower course
Landform

Flat-bottom valley

Elaboration
Same as wider valley.

In contrast, on the
Remember - a meander
convex band water is slow is asymmetrical in
flowing, due to it being a cross-section. It is
low energy zone,
deeper on the outer
deposition occurs
bend (due to greater
resulting in a shallower
erosion) and shallower
channel (riffles). This
on the inside bend (an
increased friction further area of deposition).
reduces the velocity (thus
further reducing energy),
encouraging further
deposition. Over time a
small beach of material
builds up on the inner
bend; this is called a slipoff slope.