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Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river River Channel: wider and deeper Volume of water greater than that in upper course. Gradient is less than upstream portion of the river course.

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

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Page 1: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

River Channel:

wider and deeper

Volume of water greater than that in upper course.

Gradient is less than upstream portion of the river course.

Page 2: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

River Valley :

More open V shape and wider valley floor.

Lateral erosion of river more dominant.

Weathering and mass wasting of valley sides.

Page 3: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Work of river :

Vertical erosion is reduced.

Increased volume of load and water in the river is used mainly for lateral erosion.

Some energy is also used for transportation.

Some deposition also occurs.

Page 4: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Meanders, river cliffs and slip-off slopes

How meanders begin to form is uncertain.

They appear to have their origins in times of flood and in relatively straight sections where pools and riffles develop.

Page 5: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Page 6: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Pools: areas of deeper water.

Riffles: areas of shallow water.

Spacing between pools and rivers usually very regular: 5x – 6x of river width

Page 7: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

There is less friction in pools.

Thus, river flows faster and has more erosive power.

Increased friction in the riffles slows water down and more deposition takes place.

Continuous erosion in the pools and deposition in the river accentuates the slight bends of a river.

Page 8: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Page 9: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

There exists a series secondary flow of water in a river, other than the main flow.

One of these is called the helicoidal flow – cockscrew movement of water.

Page 10: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Difference in velocity across the channel causes unequal pressure distribution.

Current from the concave bank descends downwards, undercutting and eroding the river side.

Eroded material carried along the bed and up the convex bank where it is deposited.

Page 11: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

This current represents a cockscrew movement of water because it continues downstream and repeats the series of rotations.

Page 12: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

As erosion continues to undercut the concave bank, eroded materials slump down into the river, forming a steep river cliff.

Page 13: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Continuous deposition on the convex bank makes it shallow and deposition takes place.

These deposits on the convex bank build up into a gently sloping slip-off slope.

Page 14: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Page 15: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

The channel has an asymmetrical cross-section.

Continued erosion on the concave banks and deposition on the convex banks cause the meanders to migrate laterally.

Page 16: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Page 17: Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

Fluvial Landforms – Middle course of river

References:

1. Chong, M. (2001) Aspects of Physical Geography, Singapore: Pekoe Books.

2. Waugh, D. (2000) Geography – An Integrated Approach, UK: Nelson