MeandersLesson 8 – page 7
To learn what a meander is.To learn how meanders form.To learn how an ox-bow lake forms.
Key Skill = Communication
Lesson Aims
Water flows faster on the outside of bends.
Abrasion and hydraulic action causes erosion.
This causes undercutting of the bank.
This causes a steep river cliff.
• Water flows slower on the inside of bends.• The river
deposits its load.• This results in a
gentle bank of sand and gravel.• This is called a
point bar.
Point Bar
River Cliff
River Taff - Cilfynydd
River Cliff
Point Bar
Water Works
Draw a labelled sketch to show a meander.
How does a river cliff form?
How does a point bar form?
Activity
Meander Cross-Section
• Draw a labelled sketch to show a meander cross-section.
• Label where it will be deeper and why.
• Label where it will be shallower and why.
Activity
Ox-bow Lakes• Meanders become
more extreme.• This creates a
narrow neck of land.• Fast current erodes
the neck cutting off the meander.
• Meander is sealed off by deposition to create an ox-bow lake.
Draw an annotated sketch to show how sn ox-bow lake forms.
Homework Activity
Top Related