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Caribbean Secondary Examination Council
School Based Assessment
Geography
Rivers
Title: How has the work observed along sections of the middle and lower courses
Morant River, St Thomas, Jamaica led to the formation of the erosional and
depositional features?
Name: Haleigh Marshall
Year: 2025
Candidate Number:
Centre Number: 100076
Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Pink-Saunders
Territory: Jamaica
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Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
AIM.................................................................................................................................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................5
Map of Study Area...........................................................................................................7
Map of Jamaica................................................................................................................8
Presentation and Analysis of Data....................................................................................9
River Features...............................................................................................................11
Delta...............................................................................................................11
Rapids............................................................................................................12
Floodplain......................................................................................................13
Braided Channel.............................................................................................14
River Terrace.................................................................................................15
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................16
Bibliography..................................................................................................................17
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Introduction
A river is a significant watercourse that continuously flows across the land, typically
moving towards seas, lakes, and oceans. Rivers are generally divided into three stages:
the upper, middle, and lower courses. The focus area is the Morant River in St. Thomas,
Jamaica, which is notable for the Yallahs Delta, the largest delta in the region.
On May 3rd, 2024, researchers traveled to the Morant River to gather crucial data and
ask essential questions for their School Based Assessment. They observed the formation
of both erosional and depositional features along sections of the river's middle and
lower courses.
This School Based Assessment aims to investigate the processes of the Morant River
that result in the formation of these features in its middle and lower sections. The
research methods included observations, calculations, measurements, testing, and
random sampling. The data from the random sample will be represented using either pie
charts or line graphs.
The topic was chosen due to the sheer interest in studying river ecosystems. It provides
an opportunity to analyze the hydrology of the river, including its source, flow patterns,
and its impact on the surrounding landscape. Additionally, exploring this topic allows
for a thorough understanding of how environmental disasters influence the river’s flow
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patterns and water levels, which are crucial for the development of erosional and
depositional features of the Morant River.
AIM
To identify and explain the formation of erosional and depositional features observed
along sections of the middle and lower courses of the Morant River, St. Thomas.
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Methodology
The data was collected on Friday, May 3rd, 2024. This study was conducted along two
sections of the Morant River in St. Thomas, Jamica: the middle course and the lower
course. Upon arrival at the research site, researchers were provided with a sheet to
record information about these two localities. During the excursion, the localities were
visited, and the erosional and depositional features of each were examined. A series of
tests, including river depth, width, and velocity tests, were carried out to understand
how these features were formed.
Various instruments were used to gather data during the excursion. A camera captured
photographs of the erosional and depositional features observed in the field. A
stopwatch recorded the time it took for a bottle to travel downstream. A meter rule was
used to measure the depth of the river channel. Rocks were collected at random, and
their long and short axes were measured with a ruler. The sheet provided was used to
document the measurements and types of rocks selected. Additionally, the velocity of
the water was calculated.
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Map of Study Area
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Map of Jamaica
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Presentation and Analysis of Data
Bar Graph Showing Number Of Rocks Obtained Af-
ter Grouping Based on Each Type
Metamorphic 18
Igenous 28
Sedimentary 24
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Total
Figure.3 Bar Graph showing the types of rock after the data was collected at Locality 1 and 3
Source: Field Trip Date: May 3,2024
There were three rock types found at the Morant River, which are sedimentary, igneous
and metamorphic. These rocks were collected at random at both locations Duhaney Pen
(Locality 1) and Seaforth Bridge (Locality 3) As shown in Figure 3, out of the sixty
rocks collected, 28 being igneous, 18 being metamorphic and 24 being sedimentary.
The high level of igneous rocks suggests that they are more resistant to weathering and
erosion, allowing them to persist through transportation downstream.
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Figure.4 Bar Graph showing the types of rock after the data was collected at Locality 1 and 3
Source: Field Trip Date: May 3,2024
Figure 4 illustrates the composition of rock samples found in the middle and lower
course of the river, highlighting variations in rock type distribution. Igneous rocks,
making up 40% of the total, suggest a strong influence from upstream sources or
surrounding geological formations. Sedimentary rocks, accounting for 33%, indicate
areas of deposition where finer materials accumulate due to reduced river velocity. The
presence of metamorphic rocks at 27% suggests erosion and transport from regions with
older, more compacted rock formations. This distribution reflects the processes of
erosion, transport, and deposition that shape the river’s course.
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River Features
Delta
Figure 5: Diagram showing the Delta at the Morant River
Source: Field Trip (May 3,2024)
According to M. Gentles and J. Ottey, a delta is a triangular-shaped area at the mouth of
a river. As it enters the sea, the river can no longer carry its load, which is deposited
into the sea. The river is forced to divide into smaller channels called distributaries.
Deltas are formed as rivers empty their water and sediment into the sea. The researcher
concludes that the delta observed in Figure 3 within the study area was formed as the
Morant River transported sediments downstream and deposited them at its mouth. Upon
reaching the mouth, it was observed that the delta displays a dominantly Arcuate shape.
During its journey to the mouth of the river, heavier particles like sand and gravel
deposit first, followed by silt and clay. Over time, these sediments accumulate into a
broad, fan-shaped delta. Figure 1 shows the delta observed at the Morant River.
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Rapids
As stated by National Geographic; rapids are areas of shallow, fast-flowing water in a
stream. During the expedition, the researchers observed the formation of a rapid. Rapids
form when alternating bands of hard rock and soft rock are present. Differential erosion
occurs because soft rock erodes more easily than hard rock, creating an uneven
riverbed. This unevenness leads to turbulent water flow, producing the characteristic
white-water sections of rapids.
To study the rapid, a velocity test was conducted by two researchers. They used a tape
measure to span the rapid channel and a bottle to observe the water's speed. Plate 2
shows a photograph of a rapid at the Morant River.
Plate 1: Photograph showing Rapid
Source: Field Trip (May 3,2024)
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Floodplain
According to J. Ottles and M. Gentles, a floodplain is a gently sloping area of deposited
materials. During the field trip, the researcher measured sediment levels by collecting
water samples and found that 10% of the water contained sediments. Additionally, it
was estimated that over 67,000 truckloads of sediment pass through this point annually
based on flow rate calculations and sediment concentration.
The shallow part of the river carries these sediments, leading to floodplain formation.
Erosion removes interlocking spurs, widens the river and creates a broad, level expanse
on both sides. As the river slows, it deposits sediment along its banks, gradually
increasing the floodplain’s height over time.
Plate 2: Photograph showing floodplain
Source: Field Trip (May 3, 2024)
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Braided Channel
According to M. Wilson, a braided channel is a wide, shallow channel made up of
multiple interlaced branches that divide and rejoin. The braided channel observed at
Locality Two was shallow and formed through a depositional process involving
unsorted sediments, likely due to the river’s velocity.
Braided channels form when a river carries a high sediment load, but its flow energy is
too low to maintain a single, well-defined channel. The braided channel at the Morant
River was formed through this process, as sediment deposition created multiple
interconnected channels.
Figure 6 illustrates the braided channel at the Morant River, showing the distribution of
sediment and flow patterns that contributed to its formation.
Figure 6: Diagram showing the Braided Channel at the Morant River
Source: Field Trip (May 3,2024)
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River Terrace
According to Britannica, a river terrace is a bench or step along a valley that represents
a former level of the valley floor. These terraces are formed by river erosion and
environmental changes such as tectonic uplift, climatic shifts, or changes in sea levels.
The river terrace at the Morant River was formed by the river cut deeper into its valley
over time. As the river eroded its bed, older valley floors were left behind as elevated
terraces. This process happened in stages, with erosion carving the valley and
deposition leaving sediment layers. The diagram illustrates how the river’s movement
shaped the terrace, showing different sediment deposits from past erosion periods.
Figure 7: Diagram showing River terrace at the Morant River
Source: Field Trip (May 3,2024)
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Conclusion
When analyzing the Morant River, its middle and lower portions, it is evident that
insight can be drawn regarding the erosional and depositional features present in the
area. The study of the distribution of rock types found in Figures 3 and 4 pointed out
that there was great abundance of igneous rocks, which means these rocks were not
weathered and carried downstream. The deposition of such sedimentary and
metamorphic rocks, pointed out, further signified the processes of erosion,
transportation and deposition that were going on.
Besides that, a delta, rapids, floodplain, braided channel, and river terrace are also river
features that were observed which are indicative of the river system being active. These
features are created due to the differences in velocity of the water coming in, the
amount of sediment present, and the geology of the place. The delta at the mouth of the
river is observed because it indicates deposition towards the end when the river has less
energy, while the rapids and terraces show what happens when erosion takes place,
which modifies the riverbed and the valley.
In the long run, the research proved that the Morant River has a great impact on the
changing landscape due to intense natural work on the river and environmental forces.
Comprehending such processes is extremely important for developing a plan of action
on how to manage the river and deal with the flooding issues in the nearby settlements.
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Bibliography
● Ottley, Jeanette and Gentles, Marolyn. Longman Geography for CSEC.
Harlow, United Kingdom: Pearson Education Limited, 2006.
● Paul Guinness, et al., Geography for CSEC. University Kingdom: Oxford
University Press, 2014.
Websites
● https://www.internetgeography.net/flashcard/how-is-a-flood-plain-formed/
● https://geoforcxc.com/water/river-features/
● https://www.internetgeography.net/flashcard/how-are-rapids-formed/
● https://geography-revision.co.uk/a-level/physical/braided-channels/
● https://www.britannica.com/science/river-terrace
