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Vertical & Lateral Erosion

Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 3.3.3

Vertical and Lateral Erosion

Vertical and lateral erosion affect a river's cross profile. Vertical and lateral erosion both happen all the time, but depending on the section of the river, one type will be dominant.

Vertical erosion

Vertical erosion

  • Vertical erosion makes the river valley deeper.
  • Vertical erosion dominates in the upper course.
  • This is because high levels of turbulence make rough and angular particles drag along the river bed.
Lateral erosion

Lateral erosion

  • Lateral erosion makes the river valley wider.
  • Lateral erosion dominates in the lower course and middle course.

Test yourself on Vertical & Lateral Erosion

  • Which of the following are types of erosion that affect a river's cross profile?

  • In which section of a river does vertical erosion dominate?

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