rivers

• Waterfall:

  1. The soft rock is eroded quicker than the hard rock and this creates a step.
  2. As erosion continues, the hard rock is undercut forming an overhang.
  3. Abrasion and hydraulic action erode to create a plunge pool.
  4. Over time this gets bigger, increasing the size of the overhang until the hard rock is no longer supported and it collapses.
  5. This process continues and the waterfall retreats upstream.
  6. A steep-sided valley is left where the waterfall once was. This is called a gorge.
• Interlocking spurs:

  In the upper course there is more vertical erosion. The river cuts down into the valley. If there are areas of hard rock which are harder to erode, the river will bend around it. This creates interlocking spurs of land which link together like the teeth of a zip.
• Meanders formation

  1. River gains more water and energy in middle course

  2. Lateral erosion starts to widen the river

  3. River flows over flatter land and develops large bends
• shingle beach 


  • Slower on inner bend , causing the water to slow down and deposit the eroded material, creating a gentle slope of sand and shingle