Cross Profile - GCSE Geography Definition

In the context of GCSE Geography, a 'cross profile' refers to a vertical section or slice across a river channel and its surrounding valley. The cross profile illustrates the variation in shape and depth at a particular point. It provides a side view that includes the riverbank, riverbed, and often the floodplain, helping students understand the relationship between these features and how they change from the river's source to its mouth. Cross profiles are essential for analysing river processes such as erosion, transportation, and deposition, they help to visualise how these processes affect the landscape over time. .