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Waterfall and River Landform Formation

Waterfalls form where a layer of resistant rock overlies softer rock. As a river erodes the softer rock faster, it creates a step and an overhang in the riverbed. Eventually the overhang collapses, adding rocks to the plunge pool and allowing the process to repeat upstream, creating a gorge. Floodplains form in lowland river courses through erosion and deposition during flooding. Levées form along river channels through deposition of coarser sediments during flooding. Deltas occur where rivers enter seas, with sediment deposition exceeding removal rates, forming landforms like the arcuate Nile delta or the birds foot Mississippi delta.

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186 views4 pages

Waterfall and River Landform Formation

Waterfalls form where a layer of resistant rock overlies softer rock. As a river erodes the softer rock faster, it creates a step and an overhang in the riverbed. Eventually the overhang collapses, adding rocks to the plunge pool and allowing the process to repeat upstream, creating a gorge. Floodplains form in lowland river courses through erosion and deposition during flooding. Levées form along river channels through deposition of coarser sediments during flooding. Deltas occur where rivers enter seas, with sediment deposition exceeding removal rates, forming landforms like the arcuate Nile delta or the birds foot Mississippi delta.

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Anonymous EmjOwX
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Waterfalls eg Victoria Falls, Zambia

Where are they found? Upper course

What is a waterfall? A step or change in gradient in the long profile of the river
caused by different types of rock

How does a waterfall form?

1. Waterfalls are often formed where a layer of


resistant (hard) rock overlays a layer of less
resistant (soft rock)

2. As the river passes over the layer of soft rock


it is able to erode it at a faster rate forming a
step in the river bed

3. The force of hydraulic action undercuts the


hard rock creating a plunge pool and an
overhang

4. Eventually the overhang collapses due to the


lack of support and falls in to the plunge pool

5. This adds rocks and boulders to the plunge


pool and so the process of abrasion works
with hydraulic action to further erode the
plunge pool

6. The processes of erosion continue and the


overhang collapses again causing the process
to repeat itself and the waterfall retreats upstream creating a gorge.
Floodplains

What is a floodplain?

An extensive, flat area of land on either side of a river, which periodically


becomes flooded.

Where do they occur?

In the lower course of a river in lowland areas as a result of both erosion and
deposition

Characteristics of a floodplain:

• They are composed of alluvium – river-deposited silts and clays


• Over time a floodplain becomes wider and the depth of sediment increases
• The width of a floodplain is determined by the amount of lateral erosion that has taken place

How do they form?

1. During flooding, as a river spills onto the surrounding land, there is a reduction in the velocity of the
water due to an increase in friction between the water and the floodplain.

2. This results in a loss of energy which causes deposition of the large quantities of suspended
sediment that a river carries as it enters its lower course.

3. The depth of the alluvial deposits depends partly on the amount of flooding in the past and over
time the floodplain will increase in height.
Levées

What are levées?


Natural embankments alongside a river channel

Where do they occur?

In the lower course of a river in lowland areas as a result of both erosion


and deposition

How do they form?

1. During high discharge (eg after heavy rain or after snowmelt) the
river will overflow its banks

2. The increase in friction produced by the contact with the


floodplain causes material to be deposited as competence (the
river's ability to carry sediment) is reduced

3. The coarsest material is dropped first by the edge of the channel


to form a natural embankment.

4. The finer sediment moves further away as it is lighter and gets


trapped behind the coarser sediment and gradually raises the height
of the banks
Deltas

What is a delta? A delta is when a river loses energy and


sediment is deposited as a river flows into a sea. The inputs of
material exceed the rate of removal by coastal currents and
longshore drift.

Where do they occur? Lower course (as a result of


deposition)

What are the different types of delta?


There are 4 main types. Of these Arcuate and Bird’s foot deltas are most common.

Arcuate eg River Nile - has a rounded, convex outer margin

Birds foot eg Mississippi - the river has many sediment-bounded distributary


channels extending out in a fan shape

How do they form?


1. The mixing of freshwater with seawater encourages the process of flocculation which means clay particles
stick and clump together. These larger floccules then settle sooner than individual clay particles as they are
heavier.

2. The finest clay is taken far away from the coastline (as it is lightest) and eventually is deposited as bottomset
beds.

3. On top of these, slightly heavier sediment settles at an inclined angle and builds progressively outward,
extending the delta itself (foreset beds).

4. The coarsest sediments build on top of the foreset beds, forming topset beds.

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