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The Journey of a River

Inspire Education・2 minutes read

Rivers originate from sources high in the mountains, flowing through upper courses over rocks and boulders before forming waterfalls where hard rock meets soft rock. The middle course sees the river meandering through the countryside, while in the lower course, it widens into estuaries or deltas before flowing into the ocean or sea.

Insights

  • Waterfalls are created where hard rock and soft rock meet, leading to erosion and height differences, showcasing the dynamic geological processes shaping rivers.
  • Rivers transform from narrow, fast-flowing streams at the source to wide, meandering water bodies in the middle course, culminating in the formation of estuaries or deltas in the lower course, illustrating the diverse stages of a river's journey.

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Recent questions

  • How does a river start?

    At the source, like a natural spring or rainwater.

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Summary

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River's journey: source to sea in stages.

  • The journey of a river starts at the source, which can be a natural spring or rainwater high up in the mountains, flowing downhill in the upper course over rocks and boulders, carving paths into the rock over time.
  • Waterfalls form where hard rock meets soft rock, with the soft rock eroding faster, creating a height difference. The river slows in the middle course, meandering through the countryside as tributaries join, forming wider rivers. In the lower course, the river widens into estuaries or deltas, depositing sediment and nutrients before flowing into the ocean or sea at the river mouth.
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