Rivers How Do Rivers Change the Landscape
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Rivers How Do Rivers Change the Landscape 1. Erosion-Rivers wear away the rock 2. Transportation-Rocks are moved from one place to another in a river. The material moved in a river is called the river load 3. Deposition-Rivers drop the material in new places Erosion Hydraulic Action: The sheer force of the running water over the rock wears it down Abrasion: The rocks in the river load hit off the river bed and sides causing it to break down. Solution: Rocks are dissolved by the water (limestone) Attrition: The river load hits off itself wearing it down Transportation Deposition Rivers drop the load when: They lose speed Less water in the river They flow into the sea or a lake The land begins to get flat River Valley Youthful Stage Also called Upper course/valley The steepest part of a river profile. How do you think a river would move and look at this stage? Mature Stage Also known as middle course/valley Slope begins to get a bit gentler Would a river be bigger at this stage? What about the river load? Old Age Stage Also known as the lower course/valley River travels over almost flat land Will the river have much energy? What will happen to the load? V-Shaped Valley Steep narrow floors Formed by vertical erosion Weathering and mass movement cause sides of valley to move downslope. (V- Shape) Example: River Lee and River Liffey V-Shaped Valley V-Shaped Valley Interlocking Spurs High areas of ground that jut out from each side of the valley Looks like they “lock” together River will flow around resistant rock (while it keeps eroding downwards) Examples: River Liffey and River Barrow Interlocking Spurs Potholes Just like the potholes in the road! Circular shaped hollows found on the riverbed. The river load cuts down into the bed and wear away the rocks This is the process of ____________ Examples: River Liffey and River Bandon Potholes Waterfalls Waterfalls Waterfalls Created when there are layers of both hard and soft rock Water erodes the softer rock quicker than the harder, more resistant rock. Once the soft rock is gone, an overhang is created. A plunge pool is created over time Example:Torc Waterfall, Killarney, Co. Kerry Meanders Meanders Meanders Meanders Meanders-Mature Stage Bends or curves found along the mature course Volume of the river and the load increases Outer Bend: Water flows more quickly. Erosion here. Inner Bend: Water flows more slowly. Deposition here. Meanders become more pronounced over time. Example: River Shannon Ox-Bow Lake Ox-Bow Lake .