Question 1: Define the term 'meander' in the context of river landforms.

Answer: A winding curve or bend in a river caused by lateral erosion.

Question 2: What is the 'oxbow lake' and how does it form?

Answer: A crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander is cut off from the main river during floodplain flooding.

Question 3: Explain the term 'sediment deposition' and its role in river landform development.

Answer: The process where transported material settles and accumulates, forming features like floodplains and deltas.

Question 4: Name two landforms created by river erosion.

Answer: V-shaped valleys and waterfalls.

Question 5: Give an example of a river in the UK known for its prominent landforms.

Answer: The River Severn.

Question 1: Which process is primarily responsible for the formation of a waterfall?

Answer: Erosion

Question 2: Name the part of a river where erosion is most active and landforms like v-shaped valleys are created.

Answer: The river's upper course or youthful stage.

Question 3: Identify two features typical of a mature river's landscape.

Answer: Meanders and floodplains.

Question 4: Which UK river is famous for its extensive meanders and floodplain?

Answer: River Thames

Question 1: The River Severn in England is known for its significant floodplain and meandering pattern. Discuss how the river's landforms influence flood risk management in the area.

Answer: The River Severn's extensive floodplain allows for natural flood storage, reducing flood risk upstream. Its meanders slow water flow, decreasing erosion and preventing rapid flooding. Flood defenses, such as embankments, are built in conjunction with these natural features to protect towns like Gloucester. The river's natural landforms thus play a critical role in sustainable flood management strategies.

Question 1: Analyse the causes of oxbow lake formation in the context of river meanders.

Answer: Oxbow lakes form when a river's meander becomes increasingly curved due to lateral erosion. During a flood, the river cuts through the narrow neck of a meander, creating a new, straighter channel. Over time, the abandoned meander loop is cut off from the main river, forming an oxbow lake. This process is driven by the combination of erosion on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks of meanders.

Question 2: Explain why waterfalls tend to form in the upper course of a river, using the River Tees as an example.

Answer: Waterfalls form in the upper course where there is a band of hard rock overlaying softer rock. Hydraulic erosion causes the softer rock to erode more quickly, creating a step or plunge pool. In the case of the River Tees, the presence of resistant limestone layers causes water to cascade over the edge, forming a waterfall. These features are typical in youthful river stages before the river has developed broad valleys.

Question 1: To what extent are river management strategies like dams and levees effective in controlling flooding caused by landform processes? Discuss with reference to UK examples.

Answer: River management strategies such as dams, levees, and flood barriers can be highly effective in controlling floodwaters by regulating flow and storing excess water, as seen in the Thames Barrier. However, they can also have negative environmental impacts, disrupt natural landform development, and may fail during extreme weather events. Their effectiveness depends on proper maintenance and integration with natural floodplain processes. In some cases, allowing rivers to flood naturally can be a sustainable alternative. Overall, a combination of engineering and natural approaches offers the best management solution.