What is the main process in the upper course of a river?

VERTICAL EROSION is the main process in the upper course of the river, as the river wants to get to sea level. This process creates five distinctive features; a v- shaped valley, interlocking spurs, waterfalls, gorges and rapids.

What are the 3 courses of a river?

The river has three different “courses”, the Upper Course, Middle Course and Lower Course, each with their own different characteristics. waterfalls, interlocking spurs. meanders, floodplains.

Does the upper course of a river have high discharge?

Steep valley sides are typical of a river’s upper course in upland areas. Upper course – this is where the river starts and is usually an upland area. Slopes are steep – this can increase the velocity of the river after heavy rainfall, when discharge is high. The river channel is narrow and shallow here.

Is the upper course of a river fast?

In the upper course, rivers appear to be flowing fast at waterfalls and sections of rapids. This is contrasted with the smooth more ‘laminar’ flow of the river in the lower course. In the lower course there is an absence of large rocks and the river channel, being wider and deeper applies less friction to the flow.

What are the 4 stages of a river?

These categories are: Youthful, Mature and Old Age. A Rejuvenated River, one with a gradient that is raised by the earth’s movement, can be an old age river that returns to a Youthful State, and which repeats the cycle of stages once again. A brief overview of each stage of river development begins after the images.

Is the middle course of a river deep?

The middle course of a river has more energy and volume than in the upper course. The gradient is gentler and more lateral (sideways) erosion widens the channel. The river channel has also become deeper. Meanders are typical landforms found in this stage of the river.

What is a lower course of a river?

The lower course of the river is where the it comes to meet the sea at the mouth, and starts at the relatively straightening path preceeding it, surrounded by flat land. Features of the Lower Course of Rivers: High Volume and Discharge – At the lower course of a river, the river is at its biggest volume capacity.

Is formed in upper course of the river?

Potholes form mainly in the upper course of the river, in high altitude where the river channel cuts directly into the bedrock. Potholes are the direct consequence of vertical erosion and processes of abrasion.

What is middle course of a river?

One of the most distinctive features of the river in the middle course is its increased sinuousity. Unlike the relatively straight channel of the upper course, in the middle course there are many meanders (bends) in the river.

What is the middle course of a river called?

Meanders
Landforms – Middle Course of a river – Meanders. The middle course of a river has more energy and volume then in the upper course. The gradient is more gentle and lateral (sideways) erosion has widened the channel. The river channel has also become deeper.

What are the features of upper course of River?

Interlocking Spurs. Interlocking spurs are fingers of land that jut out into the river valley that streams and rivers are forced to flow around in the upper course.

What landforms does the upper course of the river have?

Waterfalls are upper course river landforms. In the upper course of a river gradients are steep and river channels are narrow. Vertical erosion is greatest in the upper course of a river. As the result of this typical features include steep valley sides, interlocking spurs, rapids, gorges and waterfalls.

What is the lower course of a river?

Lower Course. The Lower Course is where the river flows gently because of its gentle slope, and also it looks like a lake habitat. This winding lowland parts of a river contain muddy, slightly warmer water, which flows more slowly. Plants grow in the bed of the river and at its edges.

What are the landforms of a river?

River Landforms Potholes. V-Shaped Valleys. Waterfalls (Geological) Waterfalls develop when a change of lithology (rock type) takes place along the river’s course resulting in differential erosion. Rapids. Meanders. Oxbow Lakes. Braided Channels. Floodplains. Levees. Deltas.