Geomorphology Flashcards
(28 cards)
weathering
The breakdown of rocks in situ (i.e. happen where the rock is)
abrasion
When small rocks wear away the river bank
hydraulic action
Fast flowing water hits the rock or soil and forces water in cracks and the pressure of the water and air cause it to explode
attrition
When stones hit each other and break each other up, which makes them smooth and rounded
saltation
When pebbles and small rocks are bounced along the bottom
solution
When minerals are dissolved into the water and moved along
tration
When big rocks and boulders are moved along
suspension
When small pieces of rock are carried down by the current
Deposition
evaporation
The process of turning from liquid to vapor
transportation
The release of water vapour into the air by plants from the holes in there leaves called stomata
condensation
The conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid
precipitation
When water falls down as rain, hail, sleet or snow.
surface runoff
If the ground is very hard or wet, rain water just runs along it
Throughflow
Below the ground, some water flows sideways, through the soil.
Drainage basin
An area of land drained by a river
Long profile
Shows how the relief changes as the river flows from the source to the mouth
confluence
The point where 2 rivers meet
Tributary
A small river the joins a larger river
watershed
The boundary of 2 Drainage basins
Cross profile
What the cross section of the river channel looks like at certain points along a rivers course
More resistant rock
Less resistant rock
What is the first step of a waterfall forming?
A river flows over an area of hard rock followed by an area of soft rock, which is less resistant to erosion.
