Summary In-Depth Notes - GCSE Geography Paper Topics

Rivers – Paper 1

,Describe how a rivers long profile and cross
profile varies over its course.
Course: the path of a river as it flows downhill.
Types of courses: upper, middle and lower.
Rivers have a steep upper course (nearer to the source), a gently
sloping middle course and an almost flat lower course.
The long profile of a river shows you how the gradient changes.
River form channels and valleys as they flow downhill.
They erode the landscape and transport eroded material to somewh
further along the course, where it is deposited.
The shape of the valley and channel changes along the river depend
on whether erosion or deposition is the dominant process.
The cross profile shows you what a cross-section of the river looks lik

, Upper course:
- Steep gradient
- V-shaped valley, steep
sides and a narrow,
shallow channel
Middle course:
- Medium gradient
- Gently sloping valley
sides and a wider,
deeper channel.
Lower course:
- Gentle gradient
(almost flat)
- Very wide and almost
flat valley and very
wide and deep
channel.