Question 1: Define 'erosion' in the context of river landscapes.

Answer: Erosion is the process by which rivers wear away their banks and bed through hydraulic action, abrasion, and attrition.

Question 2: What is 'transportation' in river processes? Give an example.

Answer: Transportation is the movement of eroded material downstream, for example, pebbles carried by the river during suspension.

Question 3: Explain 'deposition' and its role in river landscapes.

Answer: Deposition is the process where rivers drop sediment when their energy decreases, forming features like floodplains and deltas.

Question 4: Name two erosional features formed by river processes.

Answer: Waterfalls and gorges.

Question 5: Identify one example of deposition in a UK river.

Answer: The formation of alluvial fans at the mouth of the River Severn.

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

Answer: Hydraulic action

Question 2: Name the main type of erosion that creates steep valley sides in the UK.

Answer: Vertical erosion.

Question 3: Where is the River Tees known for its famous waterfall, High Force?

Answer: County Durham

Question 4: Describe the difference between a v-shaped valley and a floodplain.

Answer: A v-shaped valley is narrow and steep-sided formed by vertical erosion, while a floodplain is a flat area adjacent to a river formed by deposition during flooding.

Question 1: The River Tees in County Durham features the waterfall High Force, which has a plunge pool and a steep riverbed. Explain how erosion processes have contributed to this landscape feature.

Answer: Hydraulic action and abrasion have eroded the softer rock beneath the hard cap of the waterfall, creating the plunge pool and causing the waterfall to retreat upstream over time.

Question 2: The River Severn has a wide floodplain that often floods during heavy rainfall. How does deposition contribute to the development of this floodplain?

Answer: Deposition of sediments during flooding causes the floodplain to build up gradually, making it fertile and prone to frequent flooding due to the river’s meandering and slow flow.

Question 3: Analyze the impact of human activities, such as dam construction on the River Severn, on natural river processes.

Answer: Dams reduce the river’s flow, which can decrease erosion downstream and lead to increased sediment deposition upstream, altering natural flood regimes and affecting habitats. They can also reduce the energy available for erosion, impacting landscape formation.

Question 1: Explain why waterfalls such as High Force form in certain areas of the river.

Answer: Waterfalls form where there are layers of hard and soft rock; the softer rock erodes faster, creating a drop. Hydraulic action and abrasion deepen the plunge pool, leading to waterfall formation.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of river meandering and how they influence landscape development.

Answer: River meanders develop due to the lateral erosion on outer banks and deposition on inner banks in areas of gentle gradient. Over time, they create winding bends, floodplains, and contribute to landscape diversity.

Question 3: Explain the processes that lead to the formation of oxbow lakes in UK rivers.

Answer: Oxbow lakes form when a meander neck is cut through during high flow, leaving a crescent-shaped lake isolated from the main river channel due to deposition and erosion.

Question 1: To what extent are human interventions like dams and river management strategies effective in controlling river erosion and flooding in the UK?

Answer: Human interventions such as dams, levees, and flood management schemes are effective in reducing flood risk and controlling erosion to some extent by regulating flow and sediment transport. However, they can also have negative environmental impacts, disrupt natural processes, and may not fully prevent extreme flooding events. The effectiveness varies depending on the location, design, and maintenance of these strategies, and a balanced approach considering ecological and social factors is essential for sustainable management.