Denudation

Solutions for Geography, Class 9, ICSE

Choose The Correct Option

21 questions

Question 1

The process of breaking and removing the rocks from the surface of the earth:

  1. Erosion
  2. Mass movement
  3. Denudation
  4. Weathering
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Denudation

Question 2

Denudation is the process that wears away landmass and reshapes the surface of the earth. Which of the following process is NOT involved in it?

  1. Weathering
  2. Erosion
  3. Deposition
  4. Mass wasting
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Deposition

Question 3

The disintegration of rocks by atmospheric agents at or near the surface of the earth:

  1. Erosion
  2. Weathering
  3. Mass movement
  4. Denudation
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Weathering

Question 4

The displacement of rocks by agents like wind, water or ice:

  1. Deposition
  2. Transportation
  3. Erosion
  4. Mass wasting
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Erosion

Question 5

The large-scale movement of loose materials (rock-waste) down the slope on account of gravity:

  1. Mass movement
  2. Deposition
  3. Denudation
  4. Weathering
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Mass movement

Question 6

Assertion (A): In the upper course the dominant activity of a river is erosion.

Reason (R): The river flows swiftly as the gradient is steep.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
  3. A is true but R is false.
  4. A is false but R is true.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — The upper course of a river generally lies in a hilly area and the river flows a considerable distance over a steep slope. Along its course, it erodes its bed and banks; and carries large boulders of rock with it. Under the impact of rush of water and the load the river carries, erosion action is swift and effective.

Question 7

The laying down of material that has been weathered, eroded and transported by natural processes such as water, wind and ice.

  1. Physical Weathering
  2. Deposition
  3. Denudation
  4. Tributary
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Deposition

Question 8

The streams or small rivers which join the main river are called:

  1. Transporteries
  2. Tributaries
  3. Distributaries
  4. Meanders
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Tributaries

Question 9

When a river divides into channels or smaller rivers they are called its:

  1. Tributaries
  2. Distributaries
  3. Meanders
  4. Transporteries
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Distributaries

Question 10

Assertion (A): River meanders are bends of longitudinal courses.

Reason (R): Meanders are the result of both erosion and deposition under conditions of a gentle slope and sufficient water in rivers.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
  3. A is true but R is false.
  4. A is false but R is true.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — Meanders are the result of both erosion and deposition work of rivers. Meanders generally form under conditions of a gentle slope and sufficient water in rivers. The river flow is diverted by an obstruction allowing the river to do lateral erosion work.

Question 11

In the upper course the dominant activity of a river is:

  1. Valley
  2. Meander
  3. Erosion
  4. Mass wasting
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Erosion

Question 12

In the middle course of a river the gradient is gentle so the flow of the river slows down such that it appears like a snake over its floodplains forming which of the following?

  1. Deltas
  2. Gorges
  3. Meanders
  4. Rapids
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Meanders

Question 13

............... are moon-shaped dunes.

  1. Dunes
  2. Sand Dunes
  3. Barchans
  4. Seifs
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Barchans

Question 14

Stationary, long and narrow sand-ridges which grow parallel to the direction of the prevailing wind and remain in a fixed position.

  1. Dunes
  2. Sand Dunes
  3. Barchan
  4. Seifs
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Seifs

Question 15

The lowering of land, rounding of exposed rock surfaces and levelling of the peaks:

  1. Denudation
  2. Erosion
  3. Mass wasting
  4. Deposition
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Denudation

Question 16

Assertion (A): In the lower course of the river all the ideal conditions for depositional landforms exist.

Reason (R): The load-transporting capacity is drastically reduced due to sluggish flow as well as division of a river into many distributaries.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
  3. A is true but R is false.
  4. A is false but R is true.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation — The load-transporting capacity is drastically reduced due to sluggish flow as well as division of a river into many distributaries. This is why deposition becomes dominant in the lower course of the river.

Question 17

Which amongst the following is not a factor affecting work of a river?

  1. Velocity of water
  2. Quality of water
  3. Volume of water
  4. Load of water
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Quality of water

Question 18

How do migratory dunes damage towns and villages?

  1. They cover all surfaces with thick layers of sand.
  2. The large mass of sand shifts further.
  3. They can be checked by building walls.
  4. All of the above.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

They cover all surfaces with thick layers of sand.

Question 19

Assertion (A): Barchan are moon-shaped live dunes.

Reason (R): The migration of the barchans is a threat to desert life.

  1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  2. Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
  3. A is true but R is false.
  4. A is false but R is true.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.

Explanation — Barchans are moon-shaped live dunes which advance steadily before winds that blow from a particular direction. The migration of the barchans is a threat to desert life as they sometimes encroach on an oasis, burying palm trees or houses.

Question 20

Name the landform that is formed as a result of the action of wind wherein loose materials are lifted and blown off to be deposited outside the desert margins.

  1. Sand Dunes
  2. Barchans
  3. Deflation Hallows
  4. Seifs
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

Deflation Hallows

Question 21

See the below figure of a barchan and identify the direction of the wind.

See the below figure of a barchan and identify the direction of the wind. Total Geography ICSE Class 9
  1. A
  2. B
  3. Both A and B
  4. Neither A nor B.
Choose The Correct Option

Answer:

A

Complete The Following Table

1 question

Question 1

Complete the following table:

StagesEffect on the riverWork of the riverEffect on land
Young Stage
(Upper Course)
Formation of gorge, rapids and waterfalls.Mainly erosion.Formation of V-shaped valleys.
Maturity Stage
(Middle Course)
.............................................
Old Stage
(Lower Course)
.............................................
Complete The Following Table

Answer:

StagesEffect on the riverWork of the riverEffect on land
Young Stage
(Upper Course)
Formation of gorge, rapids and waterfalls.Mainly erosion.Formation of V-shaped valleys and I-shaped valleys.
Maturity Stage
(Middle Course)
River gets widened due to volume of water and loadErosion and transportationFormation of meanders, oxbow lakes and floodplains.
Old Stage
(Lower Course)
River flow is sluggish and load-transporting capacity is drastically reducedMainly depositionFormation of deltas.

Project

1 question

Question 1

In this chapter you have studied the action of winds that results in desertification in arid areas. Make a list of activities that could prevent and reverse desertification.

Project

Answer:

Some activities that could prevent and reverse desertification are:

  1. The growth of vegetation on the wind-ward slopes can prevent erosion by wind. It can help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and promote groundwater recharge.
  2. Long-rooted trees and sand-holding grasses can be planted to halt the advance of the dunes in order to prevent the fertile land from being devastated.
  3. Rainwater harvesting can help replenish groundwater reserves and improve soil moisture, reducing the risk of desertification.
  4. Overgrazing by livestock can contribute to desertification, so measures such as rotational grazing, herd management, and fencing can help prevent this.
  5. Measures such as contour plowing, terracing, and cover cropping can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil fertility, reducing the risk of desertification.
  6. Effective policy and planning can help prevent desertification by promoting sustainable land use practices, protecting natural resources, and encouraging community participation.

Short Answer Questions

12 questions

Question 1

What do you mean by denudation?

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Denudation is the process of breaking and removing the rocks from the surface of the earth. It includes weathering, erosion, mass movement and transportation.

Question 2

Name the factors which affect work of a river.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

The factors which affect work of a river are-

  1. Velocity of water
  2. Volume of water
  3. Load

Question 3

What is the main function of a river in its upper course? Name the landforms formed in the upper course of a river.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

The main function of a river in its upper course is erosion. It erodes its bed and banks and carries large boulders of rock with it.

The landforms formed in the upper course of a river are V-shaped valley and waterfall.

Question 4

How is a waterfall formed?

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

A waterfall is generally formed due to large differences in the rate of erosion. The water that falls down the edge of a hard resistant rock may have at the bottom a soft rock. It is this soft rock that gets eroded fast and creates a hollow basin called plunge pool.

Question 5

State the two characteristics of a river in its middle course.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

The two characteristics of a river in its middle course are-

  1. The lateral cutting is more active than down cutting.
  2. The volume of water in the river increases due to many tributaries joining it.

Question 6

How are meanders formed? Give one example of a meander.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Meanders generally form under conditions of a gentle slope and sufficient water in rivers. The river flow is diverted by an obstruction allowing the river to do lateral erosion work.

The Ganga in India is famous for its meanders.

Question 7

Name two landforms in the lower course of a river.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two landforms in the lower course of a river are delta and estuary.

Question 8

Where is wind erosion most predominant?

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Wind erosion is most predominant in arid regions such as deserts.

Question 9

What are known as Deflation Hollows?

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Deflation results in the lowering of the land surface to create depressions called deflation hollows.

Question 10

Name two chief landforms of wind deposition.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two chief landforms of wind deposition are sand dunes and loess deposits.

Question 11

Name two chief types of sand dunes.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two chief types of sand dunes are-

  1. Barchan
  2. Longitudinal dunes or Seifs

Question 12

State any two characteristics of barchans.

Short Answer Questions

Answer:

Two characteristics of barchans are-

  1. They occur transversely to the wind, so that their horns thin out and become lower in the direction of the wind.
  2. The windward side is convex and gentle-sloping while the leeward side is concave and steep.

Structured Questions

9 questions

Question 1(a)

State the difference between weathering and denudation.

Structured Questions

Answer:

WeatheringDenudation
Weathering is the process of breaking down of rocks but not its removal.Denudation is the process of breaking and removing the rocks from the surface of the earth.
It is only a part of denudation cycle.It includes weathering, erosion, mass movement and transportation.
Weathering is a short-term process.Denudation is a long-term process.
The main agents of weathering are temperature, moisture, frost action, wind, oxygen, organic acids etc.The four active agents of denudation are water, wind, waves and glacial ice.

Question 1(b)

Name the various processes involved in denudation. What are the results of denudation?

Structured Questions

Answer:

The various processes involved in denudation are-

  1. Weathering
  2. Erosion
  3. Mass movement or mass wasting
  4. Transportation
  5. Deposition

The results of denudation are the formation of erosional or depositional landforms on the surface of the earth.

Question 1(c)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Erosion is the dominant activity of a river in its upper course.

(ii) Landforms of deposition are more prominent in the middle course of a river.

(iii) All the rivers do not form deltas.

Structured Questions

Answer:

(i) Erosion is the dominant activity of a river in its upper course because at this stage, the river flows swiftly, for the gradients are steep. Under the impact of rush of water and the load the river carries, erosion action is swift and effective.

(ii) Landforms of deposition are more prominent in the middle course of a river because at this stage, the gradient is reduced and the river flows more slowly. The energy required to transport the materials is just enough to drag large particles and the lateral cutting is more active than down cutting.

(iii) All the rivers do not form deltas because there are certain conditions for the formation of deltas, which include nearly calm sheltered sea, large amount of sediment supply and a reasonable size of the river.

Question 1(d)

Describe the work of wind erosion and state two important landforms of wind erosion.

Structured Questions

Answer:

Wind picks up loose debris like sand and pebbles and transports as well as deposits them in another location. Wind can lift and carry sand grains away. When the speed of wind slows down, the sediments brought by the wind begin to drop on the ground. This process continues and forms various landforms on the surface of the earth.

Two important landforms of wind erosion are deflation hollows and sand dunes.

Question 2(a)

Briefly describe the factors which affect the work of a river.

Structured Questions

Answer:

The factors which affect the work of a river are-

1. Velocity of water — Erosion and transportation are both maximum when the velocity of water is high. Deposition takes place when the velocity of water is low.

2. Volume of water — The larger the volume of water, the greater is the power of erosion and transportation. Deposition takes place better when there is reduced volume of water and when the load is greater.

3. Load — The load of the river does all the work of erosion and deposition. Mass wasting, deepening of river valleys and formation of landforms depend on the load a river carries.

Question 2(b)

Describe the three stages of a river.

Structured Questions

Answer:

The three stages of a river are-

  1. Upper course — At this stage, the river flows swiftly, for the gradients are steep. This course generally lies in a hilly area and the river flows a considerable distance over a steep slope.
    Along its course, it erodes its bed and banks, and carries large boulders of rock with it. The erosion action is swift and effective. V-shaped valleys and waterfalls are formed in the upper course of the rivers.
  2. Middle course — At this stage, the gradient is reduced, and the river flows more slowly. In the middle course of the river, the energy required to transport the materials is just enough to drag large particles.
    The lateral cutting is more active and the volume of water in the river increases due to many tributaries joining it. Meanders and oxbow lakes are formed in the middle course of the rivers.
  3. Lower course — In this stage, the river flows sluggishly and makes many landforms. All the ideal conditions for depositional landforms exist but the load-transporting capacity is drastically reduced due to the sluggish flow as well as division of a river into many distributaries.
    Deltas are formed in the lower course of rivers.

Question 2(c)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) The effects of wind erosion are more pronounced in desert areas.

(ii) Migratory sand dunes are uncertain and dangerous.

(iii) Long rooted trees and sand holding grasses are grown bordering fields near deserts.

Structured Questions

Answer:

(i) The effects of wind erosion are more pronounced in desert areas since there is little vegetation or moisture to bind the loose surface materials.

(ii) Migratory sand dunes are uncertain and dangerous because when they migrate with the wind, they damage towns and villages.

(iii) Long rooted trees and sand holding grasses are grown bordering fields near deserts to halt the advance of the dunes in order to prevent the fertile land from being devastated.

Question 2(d)

State the factors on which the shape and size of dunes depend?

Structured Questions

Answer:

The factors on which the shape and size of dunes depend are:

  1. The direction and force of wind.
  2. The speed of wind, carrying the dust and sand particles.
  3. The nature and amount of sand brought by the wind.
  4. Water features like lakes, streams etc., in the close-by area.
  5. The nature of vegetation on the land.
  6. The nature of the surface, where the formation of a sand dune takes place.

Question 3

Given below is a photograph of Purwa Waterfall on the River Tamsa in Madhya Pradesh. Answer the following questions:

Draw a well labelled diagram showing the different heat zones of the world. Total Geography ICSE Class 9

(a) What stage is the River Tamsa to cause formation of this waterfall? Give reasons to support your answer.

(b) What other landforms would a river make in this stage?

(c) What landforms would the River Tamsa make in the next stage of its flow?

(d) Besides being a tourist attraction waterfalls are important sources of energy. Elucidate.

Structured Questions

Answer:

The River Tamsa in Madhya Pradesh is in its youthful stage (also called the upper course). This is due to following reasons:

  1. Presence of Waterfalls (like Purva Falls): Waterfalls are classic features of a youthful river stage, where the river flows over a steep slope or escarpment. The Purva Falls are formed as the River Tamsa descends over the Rewa Plateau, which is an elevated region.

  2. Steep Gradient: In the upper course, rivers have a high gradient, causing rapid flow and vertical erosion, which leads to the formation of waterfalls and gorges.

  3. Vertical Erosion Dominates: The river cuts downwards more than sideways, creating sharp features like rapids and waterfalls.

Therefore, the formation of Purva Falls by Tamsa river is a characteristic of its youthful stage, marked by steep gradients, vertical erosion, and the presence of waterfalls.

(b) Other landforms (apart from Waterfalls) formed during the youthful stage are —

  1. Rapids
  2. V-shaped valleys and I-shaped valleys
  3. Gorges
  4. Canyons

(c) River Tamsa would form the following landforms in the next stage, i.e., mature stage (or middle course) —

  1. Meanders
  2. Oxbow lakes
  3. Floodplains
  4. Wider V-shaped valleys

(d) Waterfalls are important sources of energy because the falling water possesses great potential and kinetic energy, which can be harnessed to generate hydroelectric power (HEP). When water falls from a height, it drives turbines connected to generators, producing clean and renewable electricity. This makes waterfalls valuable for sustainable energy production, especially in hilly and mountainous regions.

Thinking Skills

2 questions

Question 1

What is the relationship between denudation, weathering and erosion? Give examples to support your answer.

Thinking Skills

Answer:

Denudation, weathering, and erosion are three processes that work together to shape the Earth's surface. Weathering refers to the disintegration of rocks by atmospheric agents at or near the surface of the earth. It prepares them for further erosion. For example, in mechanical weathering rocks are disintegrated into blocks, pieces or fragments which can be eroded easily.

Erosion is the displacement of rock and soil from one place to another by natural agents such as wind, water, and ice. For example, water erosion can create channels and gullies in the landscape, carrying sediment downstream and depositing it in new locations to form deltas.

Denudation is the process of breaking and removing the rocks from the surface of the earth, which includes both weathering and erosion. It can lead to the formation of new landscapes and landforms, such as canyons and valleys. For example, the Grand Canyon in the United States was formed over millions of years through the combined processes of weathering and erosion. Together, these processes shape the Earth's surface over time.

Question 2

While travelling from Haridwar to Prayagraj, the course of which river did you follow? List the landforms associated with it along the course you followed.

Thinking Skills

Answer:

While travelling from Haridwar to Prayagraj, I followed the course of Ganga river.

The landform associated with Ganga river along the course I followed are meanders.