AQA `A` GCSE Geography

Glossary of terms
River Landscapes and
Processes
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Attrition
Parts of the load rubbing against each
other and so becoming smaller and
rounded.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Corrasion
Or abrasion the wearing away of the
river banks by the load carried in the
water.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Corrosion
The chemical action of water dissolving
minerals
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Cross Profile
The profile of the river and valley from
one side to another as if the river had
been cut in half like an orange!
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Delta
Often triangular shaped flat land
jutting out to sea at the mouth of the
river.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Deposition
The laying down of material by the
river.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Estuary
A drowned river mouth in a lowland area.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Flood
When a river overtops its banks and
spreads onto the valley floor.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Flood Plain
The flat, low lying valley floor adjacent
to a river at its lower course.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Fluvial landforms
Features produced by its rivers
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Fluvial Processes
The process which a river erodes and
deposits and transports.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Gorge of recession
Steep sided narrow valley created by
waterfall retreat.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Hydraulic Power
The force of water eroding the bed and
banks of the river.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Leves
Raised mounds of silt seen as ridges on
top of river banks, formed by flooding.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Long profile
The profile of a river form its source to
mouth.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Meanders
Bends in the middle and lower course of
a river.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Ox-bow lakes
Semi-circular lakes formed by sealing
off a meander bend.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Saltation
Small particles Jumping along the
river bed.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Suspension
Small particles of silt and clay carried
along in the rivers flow.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Traction
Boulders rolling along the river bed.
River Landscapes & Processes -
AQA "A" GCSE Geography
Waterfall
A vertical drop giving a high head of
water along a stretch of river.