A Level Geography CAIE

This subject is broken down into 57 topics in 10 modules:

  1. Core Physical Geography 12 topics
  2. Core Human Geography 12 topics
  3. Paper 3: Tropical Environments 5 topics
  4. Paper 3: Coastal Environments 4 topics
  5. Paper 3: Hazardous Environments 4 topics
  6. Paper 3: Hot Arid and Semi-Arid Environments 4 topics
  7. Paper 4: Production, Location and Change 4 topics
  8. Paper 4: Environmental Management 4 topics
  9. Paper 4: Global Interdependence 4 topics
  10. Paper 4: Economic Transition 4 topics
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  • 57
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  • 23,603
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  • 3+
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Geography

Core Physical Geography

The Drainage Basin System

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The Drainage Basin System

The Concept of a Drainage Basin

  • A drainage basin is an area of land where all surface water from rain or melting snow converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin or into a larger body of water like a river, lake or sea.
  • Also known as a catchment area, each basin is separated topographically from adjacent basins by a ridge, hill, or mountain, which is known as a water divide.
  • The drainage basin includes all the terrestrial surfaces and contexts where water moves under gravity towards the outlet.

Inputs, Outputs, and Storage in a Drainage Basin

  • The main input into a drainage basin is precipitation in the form of snow or rainfall.
  • Outputs from the basin include evapotranspiration (combination of evaporation and plant transpiration) and river discharge, which is the amount of water flowing out of the basin.
  • The store component includes processes of water storage like interception by vegetation, soil moisture storage, ground water storage and channel storage.

The Drainage Basin as a System

  • The drainage basin operates as a system because it involves a series of interrelated physical processes - inputs, outputs, storage, and transfers (or flow).
  • This whole process of interaction between precipitation, run-off, evaporation and storage can also be referred to as the water or hydrological cycle operating at a drainage basin level.

Flow of Water within the Drainage Basin

  • Overland flow (or surface run-off) is the primary method of transportation for water into river channels, usually following a path of least resistance.
  • In contrast, throughflow refers to water that infiltrates the soil surface and moves laterally through the upper soil layers towards the river channel.
  • Baseflow or groundwater flow is the part of a river's discharge that is provided by groundwater seeping into the river channel, which is a slower transfer process.

Factors Affecting the Behaviour of the Drainage Basin System

  • The behavior and rate of water movement in a drainage basin is influenced by several factors including the type and amount of precipitation, vegetation cover, type of soil, and the shape and size of the basin.
  • Human activities such as land use changes, deforestation, urbanisation and agricultural practices can also significantly affect the way a drainage basin system operates.

Understanding The Drainage Basin through Hydrographs

  • A hydrograph is a useful tool in Geography to illustrate the relationship between rainfall and the discharge of a river over a specified period.
  • It helps to visualize how a river responds to a period of rainfall and can therefore help in flood prediction and management.

Course material for Geography, module Core Physical Geography, topic The Drainage Basin System

Geography

Paper 3: Coastal Environments

Coastal Environments: Coastal Processes

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Coastal Environments: Coastal Processes

Coastal Processes Introduction

  • Coastal processes refer to the physical and chemical phenomena actively shaping the coast.
  • Interactions of these processes result in coastal formations and various landscapes.
  • Understanding these processes is critical in managing the impact of climate change and human activities on coastal areas.

Erosional Processes

  • The coastal erosion is a result of wave action, wind, tidal currents, and human activities.
  • Hydraulic action refers to the effect of water hitting the coast, compressing air pockets in the rock leading to crack expansion and rock disintegration.
  • Attrition happens when rocks and pebbles hit each other, breaking down into smaller, rounded pieces.
  • Abrasion or corrasion is the process of waves carrying materials rubbing against the coast, acting like sandpaper.
  • Solution or corrosion refers to certain types of rock dissolving in the sea water.

Transportational Processes

  • Longshore drift is the movement of sediment along the coast driven by prevailing wind.
  • Beach drift refers to a zigzag movement of sediment along the beach caused by swash and backwash of waves.
  • Tides driven by gravitational pull of the moon and sun, moving sediment in and out along the coastline.
  • Aeolian processes are wind-based activities which transport sand and other materials, forming coastal dunes and other coastal features.

Depositional Processes

  • Deposition refers to the process where sea drops or lays down material.
  • Happens when the velocity of water decreases or when there's a lot of sediment available.
  • Forms geographical features such as beaches, spits, tombolos, and bars.

Weathering Processes

  • Physical weathering refers to the breakage of rocks without any changes in chemical composition, such as freeze-thaw weathering and thermal expansion.
  • Chemical weathering happens when rock changes its chemical composition, causing breakdown of the rock, such as dissolution and oxidation.
  • Biological weathering involves the breakdown of rocks by living organisms like plant roots penetration cracks in rock.

Mass Movement

  • Mass movement refers to the downward movement of rock and soil due to gravity.
  • Includes movements such as slides, falls, topples, and flows.
  • Often sped up by water saturation, over-steepening of slopes, and earthquakes.

Course material for Geography, module Paper 3: Coastal Environments, topic Coastal Environments: Coastal Processes

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