River Profiles

Question 1

Transverse/cross profile

Answer 1

Shows shape of the river valley from one bank to another (across river channel)

Question 2

Longitudinal profile

Answer 2

Shows the shape of a river valley from the side (from course to its mouth)

Question 3

Shape of longitudinal profiles

Answer 3

Usually concave
Steep gradient at source, gentle at mouth

Question 4

Explain erosion in transverse/cross profiles

Answer 4

V shape changes through the course - from source to mouth.

Shape depends on type of erosion that is dominant (vertical/downwards or lateral/sideways)

Question 5

Upper/middle/lower course longitudinal profile gradients

Answer 5

Upper: steep
Middle: medium
Lower: gentle

Question 6

Transverse/cross profile upper/middle/lower.

Answer 6

Upper: vertical erosion, deep V-shaped valley, more deep than wide.

Middle: lateral erosion, some deposition, valley widens, similar depth to width.

Lower: deposition of fertile alluvium dominant, gentle flat/level valley, wider than deep

Question 7

Characteristic landforms (upper/middle/lower)

Answer 7

Upper: gorges, canyons, waterfalls, rapids, potholes.

Middle: bluffs, meanders, small floodplains

Lower: meanders, deltas, floodplains, ox-bow lakes, braided streams, alluvial fans, dykes/levees, yazoo streams