Rivers Unit - Definitions Flashcards
Erosion
the wearing away of rock
Vertical erosion
The wearing away of rock that causes the river to deepen . (usually in upper course)
Lateral Erosion
The wearing away of rock that causes the river to widen . (Usually in middle and lower course)
Transportation
the movement of a river’s load downstream
Deposition
When the river dumps some of it’s load. ( always dumps the biggest stuff first)
Source
The start of a river
Sediment
The rocks and stones the river is transporting
Alluvium
Sediment deposited by a river
Mouth
the end of a river. ( when the river meets the sea)
Hydraulic action
The sheer force of the water hitting the river banks
Drainage Basin
the area surrounding a river and all it’s tributaries
Corrasion
river banks are eroded when rocks scrape against them
Tributary
A small river that joins onto the main river
River bank
the sides of the river
meander
A bend in the river
