Examine the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of one fluvial landform, coastal landform or glacial landform that you have studied. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question i - 2017

For this examination, I will focus on the formation of a river valley as a fluvial landform.

The processes of erosion play a significant role in the formation of a river valley. Hydraulic action occurs when water pressures air within cracks in the riverbanks, leading to the expansion and contraction of these cracks. Abrasion happens as sediment carried by the water collides with the riverbank and bed, wearing them away. Attrition refers to the process where particles of sediment collide with each other, becoming smaller and more rounded. Solution involves the chemical dissolution of soluble minerals in the rocks along the riverbed. The collective impact of these processes gradually shapes the river valley, contributing to deeper channels, wider banks, and the overall landscape.

A labelled diagram illustrating the features of a river valley should be included. This diagram will show the steep sides of the valley, the river at the bottom, and any relevant features like cutoffs or meanders.

In addition to the above, it is important to note how variations in water flow, sediment load, and geological materials influence the rates of erosion and the subsequent morphology of the river valley.