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Examine the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of one fluvial, coastal or glacial landform that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question B - 2015
Question B
Examine the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of one fluvial, coastal or glacial landform that you have studied.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of one fluvial, coastal or glacial landform that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question B - 2015
Step 1
Processes of erosion named
Answer
In this question, we will examine the processes of erosion, including hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution, focusing specifically on their impact on fluvial landforms. The selected landform for this analysis will be the V-shaped valley, which is typically formed by river erosion.
Step 2
Step 3
Examination
Answer
The processes of erosion play a vital role in shaping the landscape, particularly in the formation of V-shaped valleys. Hydraulic action involves the force of moving water entering cracks in the riverbed and banks, leading to the dislodgement of materials. This process results in deepening and widening of the valley.
Abrasion occurs when the sediment carried by the river scrapes against the banks and bed, further carving the V-shaped profile. Attrition contributes to the erosion as the transported materials collide with each other, breaking into smaller particles that can be more easily carried away. Finally, solution facilitates the chemical weathering of rock material, adding to the erosion process, particularly in limestone areas.
Overall, these combined processes of erosion result in the deepening of valleys and the steepening of valley sides, which are characteristic features of V-shaped valleys.