GCE Geography 1989 Theory question 204

Theory question 204

Wind and Desert Landforms

With the aid of well-labelled diagrams describe three main differences between the landform of any two of the following pairs (a) Zeugens and yardangs (b) Waterfalls and gorges (c) Ria coasts and fiord coasts (d) Levees and deltas.

Show the model answer
Model answer

Two pairs, each with labelled diagrams and three differences, e.g.
Zeugen vs yardang: zeugen – hard and soft rock in horizontal layers, ridges with flat hard caps; yardang – bands of hard and soft rock in vertical layers parallel to the wind; zeugen form along joints worn by abrasion, yardangs along soft bands; yardangs are elongated in the wind direction
Ria vs fiord: fiord – drowned glaciated U-shaped valley, steep high sides, shallow threshold at the mouth, deepest inland; ria – drowned river (V-shaped) valley, gentler sides, deepens towards the sea, funnel-shaped; fiords in high latitudes (Norway), rias in lower latitudes (SW Ireland, Spain)
Waterfall vs gorge: waterfall – sudden fall of water over hard rock/step; gorge – steep-sided narrow valley often formed as a waterfall retreats
Levee vs delta: levee – raised bank along a river channel on the flood plain; delta – low fan of deposits at the river mouth with distributaries

Explanation

Each pair needs a diagram and three clear contrasts.