Erosion, transportation and deposition Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is erosion?
When rocks are worn away by the action of the water
Hydraulic action
The force of the river pushes into the cracks in the rock at the bed and bank, breaking pieces off
Abrasion
The material carried by the river (load) hits and scrapes the sides and bed of the river, breaking pieces off like sandpaper on wood
Attrition
The rocks and stones in the river bang into each other, chipping pieces off so the rocks become smaller and smoother
Solution/corrosion (erosion)
Some rocks such as chalk and limestone are dissolved in the river and are carried away as dissolved material
What is transportation?
The process which the river carries the eroded material from the upper course
Traction
Boulders and large rocks are slowly rolled along the bed of the river
Saltation
Smaller pebbles and stones are bounced along the river bed
Suspension
The water carries along fine, light particles of material called silt
Solution (transportation)
The dissolved material is transported
What is deposition?
Deposition is when a river drops its load because it doesn’t have the energy, or because it is about to enter the sea
What does the river deposit first?
Larger boulders, rocks and pebbles
What does the river deposit second?
Smaller particles
What does the river deposit last / brings with it to the sea?
Dissolved material
