Earth’s External Processes - SS1 Geography Past Questions and Answers - page 2

The upper course of a river is characterized by steep terrain, a narrow and shallow channel, cold water, and the dominance of vertical erosion. Waterfalls and rapids are common features.

Lateral erosion in the middle course widens the river channel and leads to the formation of meanders. These meanders can eventually cut off and create oxbow lakes.

The upper course is steep with a narrow channel, the middle course is characterized by meanders and a wider channel, and the lower course has a wide channel, gentle gradient, and significant deposition.

Oxbow lakes are curved bodies of water that form when meanders in a river become more pronounced, eventually cutting off a loop of the river's channel.

Floodplains are low-lying areas along a river's banks that receive sediment deposition during floods. They are fertile and support agriculture but are also prone to flooding, impacting the landscape and ecosystems.