Geography Field Trip

The 5th Year Geography class from Athboy Community School, with teachers Mr. Magner and Mr McGovern, went to Kippure House Estate near Blessington in Co. Wicklow for a river field study on Thursday April 23rd.

The purpose of the field trip was to investigate the role played by the geomorphic processes of erosion, transportation and deposition on the formation of a meander in the Upper River Liffey.

In lovely, bright weather the group had an enjoyable day gathering data in the river. With the aid of the park rangers each student measured the river velocity and classed the river flow using Berg’s Classification. Next the students did a River Channel Cross Section to see the effects of erosion and deposition on the shape of the river channel. They recorded the gradient of the river itself, then used clinometers to carry out a Valley Profile to see the effect of erosion and deposition on the shape of the valley. 

The group also did a Bedload Analysis to see the impact of the processes of attrition, abrasion and hydraulic action on the material being carried by the river and how it shapes the load. They did a Sinuosity test to determine if the bend in the river met the criteria to be classed as a meander.

They also observed features such as rapids, point bars and a river cliff. The group also did field sketches to take note of the features, conditions and processes evident.

The students are now producing a report on the field trip which is worth 20% of their Leaving Certificate Geography exam.