Field Trip to Bride's Pool #3
Three fluvial features along the upper course of the river could be found.
Waterfall
It is a vertical flow of river water. It is caused by rocks with different resistance. Conglomerate, being more resistant, lies on top of sandstone, which is less resistant. Conglomerate is less eroded by river water while sandstone receives more erosion. This is called differential erosion. Erosion takes place in the form of hydraulic action and corrasion. In time, the hard rock overhang forms a waterfall. |
|
Plunge Pool
It is a round depression formed at the base of a waterfall. Due to hydraulic action, there is downcutting at the base of the waterfall. The side of the waterfall is also undercut by eddies, produced by the strong vertical fall of water. Corrasion and solution also take place. After long period of erosion, a circular depression is formed. The plunge pool, Bride Pool, is around 15 m in diameter. |
|
Potholes
It is a round hole formed on rocky river bed. The size of the pot-holes around the area ranges from 10 cm to 100 cm in diameter. Eddy motion causes rock materials to swirl and wear away the depressions. In time, these depressions are widened and deepened and form potholes. |
You can also see the strength of hydraulic action. The river bed was rugged and 5Dees had to climb over the rocks.
The river bed was full of potholes of different sizes. The river bed was actually layers and layers of sandstone.
¡@