Deposition - GCSE Geography Definition
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Last updated
What is deposition?
In GCSE geography, deposition is generally defined as the process where material, such as sand, silt, or rocks, is dropped or left behind by a river, glacier, waves or wind. When the force carrying the material weakens or loses energy, it can no longer transport the sediment. This leads to deposition.
Deposition is responsible for forming new landforms. In rivers, deposition processes lead to the formation of:
Slip off slopes
Deltas
Levees
Floodplains

At the coast, deposition forms:
Beaches
Sand dunes

In a glacial landscape, deposition forms:
Moraines
Drumlins

An example of the deposition process occurs as a river slows down near its mouth. It drops the sediment it has been carrying, creating a fan-shaped delta. This process helps build up land over time and alters the landscape.
Deposition Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams
Use the Save My Exams coastal landscapes flashcards and exam questions to revise the process of deposition and related processes.
Examiner-written GCSE Geography revision resources that improve your grades 2x
- Written by expert teachers and examiners
- Aligned to exam specifications
- Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

Share this article