Rapids form when there is vertical bedding which is when alternate bands of hard and soft rock cross the channel. Differential erosion will occur as the soft rock is more easily eroded than hard rock. This makes the riverbed uneven and river’s flow becomes turbulent leading to white water sections typical of rapids.

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Steep gradient, convex slopes, they project from alternate sides of the family, separated by a narrow valley floor which is mainly taken up by the river channel, sometimes covered in Woodland and may have scree slopes.

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A gorge is a narrow, steep-sided valley, with bare, rocky walls.

Find out more about the landforms of erosion in the upper course of a river.

Characteristics of a gorge include:

• very narrow valley
• very steep, high valley sides is
• located immediately downstream of a waterfall
• river channel takes up most, if not all, of the valley floor
• boulders litter the river bed
• turbulent, fast-flowing whitewater

Find out more about the landforms of erosion in the upper course of a river.

Formation of a waterfall

Find out more about the landforms of erosion in the upper course of a river.