004 - River

Landforms

Geographic Knowledge and Understanding

The formation of typical river landforms, including waterfalls, floodplains, meanders, levees and deltas.

Concept

Physical processes of fluvial erosion, transportation and deposition interact to produce different landforms. The relative power of the processes will determine the size of the landform which is created. Global climate change has the power to influence fluvial processes.

Aims

  • To be have knowledge and understanding of how the river processes of erosion, transportation and deposition interact to produce typical river landforms.

Key Terminology

            • Waterfall

            • Floodplain

            • Meander

            • Levee

            • Delta

There is no need to define the terms above now as we will doing that throughout the course of the lesson. But if you are still unsure at the end of the lesson use the 'Useful Links' below to help you.


Useful Links

Activity One - Watch

The clip that you are going to watch is a review of the different processes that help to form landforms. It will also give you a summary of how a waterfalls, meanders, levees, floodplains and deltas are formed. Watch the clip and make notes on how the five key landforms are created. Remember to use subheading for the different landforms.

Reminder of the Fluvial Processes of Erosion

River Landforms - Fluvial Erosion and Deposition

Activity Two - Draw

  1. Draw the digram below in the 'Useful Resources' box below and label it using different colours for the processes (erosion, transportation, deposition), landforms and velocity - so use three colours.

  2. How does this image link to the Bradshaw Model?

Useful Resource

Activity Three - Create

Produce an IB DP Geography level revision sheet for one of the fluvial landforms that is mentioned in the syllabus point. The group will be divided into pairs to look at a different landform per team. Your revision sheet should be no longer than 1 side of A3 and you will be using LucidPress. The finished articles will be shared on the department website - www.nationsinsoc.org


                1. Waterfall and Gorge

                2. V-shaped valley and U-shaped valley

                3. Meander and Ox Bow Lake

                4. Pools and Riffles

                5. Levee

                6. Flood plain

                7. Delta

Content

The revision sheet will need to include the following points:


  • An explanation/definition of the landform.

  • How the processes of erosion, transportation and deposition have produced the landform.

  • Maps/diagrams to show the process of formation.

  • Examples of the landform(s) from at least two different countries and at least one image/map of each.

  • How the landform can be used by humans.

Presentation

You will use LucidPress to present your information.


  • No more than 1 side of A3 in length.

  • Try and divide the content in to clear sections on your guide.

  • Annotated images are essential.

  • Include a bibliography.

Upper Course - River Landfroms

Upper Course

Student Created Slides

Upper Course Landforms - 2022

Copy of Characteristics of the middle course of a river

Middle Course

Student Created Slides

Middle Course Landforms - 2022

Lower Course of a river

Lower Course

Student Created Slides

Lower Course Landforms - 2022

Useful Resources

Exam Style Question

To what extent are floodplain landforms the result of river deposition? [10 marks]

Google Document

Thank you Leah Edwards - Essay Planning Grid

This lesson was development in collaboration with Richard Allaway from geographyalltheway. For more resources please visit www.geographyalltheway.com