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Paper 1

River Landscapes

Both
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Animation of meander formation

Erosion outside, deposition inside bends.

Key Facts

  • Velocity is highest on the outside of bends.
  • Flood hydrographs show lag time and peak discharge.
  • Hard engineering is effective but expensive.
  • Soft engineering works with natural processes.

Key Equations

Discharge = cross-sectional area x velocity

Topics Covered

River Processes

What you need to know

  • Erosion, transportation, and deposition shape the channel.

Exam Tips

  • Use terms like hydraulic action and attrition.

Flood Management

What you need to know

  • Hard engineering: dams, levees. Soft engineering: flood warnings, zoning.

Exam Tips

  • Compare pros and cons with a named example.

Key Terms

Meander

A winding bend in a river.

Floodplain

Flat area beside a river built by deposition.

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Common Exam Questions

Explain how a floodplain forms.

4 marksmediumPaper 1

Model Answer

During floods, the river loses energy and deposits sediment on the valley floor, building up flat land.

What examiners want to see

  • Link high discharge, energy loss, and deposition.

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