Long Profile

Long Profile

1. Shows the rivers gradient from its source to the sea

   • By showing the height of the river bed above the base level

2. Total amount of erosion and deposition along the full course of river are balanced

   • Rates of erosion and deposition change along course of river
     • Formation of landforms e.g. WATERFALLS
       • Where the rate of erosion is higher than rate of deposition
         • Profile uneven

3. Because the total amount of erosion and deposition is balanced

   • The rate of erosion of landforms like waterfalls is equal to the rate of deposition elsewhere along the river
     • Over time the long profile will change from being uneven to a smooth curve
       • GRADED PROFLIE

4. Rivers course split into 3 stages

   • UPPER
     • Steep gradient
     • River high above sea level
       • Gives it lots of potential energy
   • MIDDLE
     • Gradient decreases in middle
       • Potential energy is converted into kinetic
   • LOWER
     • River has little potential energy but lots of kinetic
       • Flows FASTER!