Key learning points

1. Rivers move water and processes of erosion, transport and deposition create different landforms along a river’s course.
2. Rocks pebbles and sediment carried by the river bash against the banks to crack and weaken them.
3. Landforms like waterfalls, meanders and floodplains are created by rivers.
4. An estuary forms where fresh river water mixes with salty sea water.

Keywords

• Erosion - Erosion is the process of Earth’s surface, e.g. rock or soil, being worn away and transported from its original site

• Transportation - Transportation is where rivers move sand, mud and rocks

• Deposition - Deposition is when sand, mud and rocks are dropped by the river

• Landform - A landform is a natural feature created by a process such as erosion or deposition

Common misconception