Deposition: GCSE Geography Definition

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.

Explore GCSE Geography Revision Resources