Geography Rivers Revision Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is attrition?
Rocks and stones bang against each other in the river, chipping bits off so that the rocks become rounder and smaller
What is abrasion?
The material being carried by the river hits the banks and bed of the channel, each impact breaking pieces off the bed and banks
What is solution?
When sediments such as chalk and limestone dissolve in the water
What is hydraulic action?
The force of water pushing into cracks at the bed and banks, breaking bits off
What is suspension?
The water carries fine, light particles of material
What is traction?
Boulders and large rocks are slowly rolled along the bed of the river
What is saltation?
Small pebbles and stones are bounced along the river bed
Why does a river drop its load (deposition)?
Because it does not have enough energy
Where are waterfalls usually found?
upper course of a river, near the source
Where do waterfalls form?
in places with horizontal layers of hard and soft rock
What is a delta? (full answer)
As the river travels, small particles, rocks, sand and other items get picked up. When it reaches the mouth all its energy has been used up, all the deposition gets piled up creating a delta.
What is a delta? (summery)
the buildup of deposition from a river forming land (near the mouth)
