Hydrosphere

Question 1

What is another name for the Hydrological cycle and what does it show?

Answer 1

The water cycle

Question 2

What are the 9 key terms you need to know for describing the Hydrological cycle?

Answer 2

Advection
Accumulation
Condensation
Evaporation
Precipitation
Sublimation
Sub-surface runoff
Surface runoff
Transpiration

Question 3

In what ways does a river erode its banks?

Answer 3

Hydraulic action
Abrasion
Attrition
Solution

Question 4

How does the river transport material?

Answer 4

Through traction, solution, suspension and saltation

Question 5

What are the 4 river formations that you need to know?

Answer 5

Formation of a waterfall, V-shaped valley, meander and Ox-bow lake

Question 6

How is a V-shaped valley formed and what processes occur?

Answer 6

It is formed by vertical erosion and weathering. The banks are also eroded by hydraulic action, abrasion and attrition
Over time the valley becomes more eroded and starts to form its v-shape. The V becomes more prominent over time and the river channel becomes deeper.

Question 7

What key information do you need to take away from the Waterfall model answer (bullet points)?

Answer 7

1. Is found in the upper-middle course of a river
2. Hard rock overlays soft rock
3. Soft rock is eroded more quickly, this is called differential erosion through hydraulic action
4. hard rock is left overhanging the soft rock
5. Eventually it falls into the river
6. The material is eroded by abrasion
7. This creates a plunge pool
8. The material is eroded by attrition and carried downhill
9. The waterfall is eroded continuously this is called continuous erosion
10. As the waterfall retreats further upstream, it leaves behind a steep sided gorge.

Question 8

As a waterfall retreats further upstream what effect can leave behind?

Answer 8

A steep sided gorge

Question 9

What are the two main processes that occur in the formation of a meander and how does this influence the formation of the meander?

Answer 9

Erosion and deposition

Question 10

During peak flooding, a new river channel can form, this can cause the old channel to be separated as a single lake. This is called an Ox-bow lake. Describe its formation.

Answer 10

During peak rainfall a new channel can form when the river had a lot of erosive power. The old meander neck can become closer and closer together until the new channel breaks through creating a new channel. The old meander then becomes cut off from the old meander through deposition and becomes an ox-bow lake.

Question 11

What is a drainage basin? In the diagram of a drainage basin what does it show?

Answer 11

It shows the source of rivers, any tributaries, the mouth of the river and the size radius of the area in which water meets the main river.

Question 12

What are the 4 components of a drainage basin which are often questioned?

Answer 12

Inputs, outputs, transfers and storage

Question 13

What are 6 impacts that humans can have on drainage basins?

Answer 13

1. Agriculture
2. Mining
3. River projects
4. Irrigation
5. Deforestation
6. Urbanisation

Question 14

Factor affecting drainage basins: small circular basin

Answer 14

Water will reach the river faster because the area is smaller

Question 15

Factor affecting drainage basins: small elongated basin

Answer 15

Water will reach the river faster hut has further to travel, and more sources of water

Question 16

Factor affecting drainage basins: large circular basin

Answer 16

water will take longer to reach the river as it has further to come and travels slower

Question 17

Factor affecting drainage basin: Underlying rock is granite

Answer 17

Granite is impermeable which means that water cannot get through it so it will just sit on the top, and will not infiltrate deeper into the soil.

Question 18

Factor affecting drainage basin: Underlying rock is limestone

Answer 18

Limestone is permeable so water can seep into the soil meaning it is well drained.

Question 19

Factor affecting drainage basin: Underlying soil is sandy

Answer 19

Sandy soils are permeable meaning that the soil is drier so the water table may also be lower into the soil

Question 20

Underlying soil is clay

Answer 20

Clay is impermeable which means that the surrounding basin will be waterlogged

Question 21

Factor affecting drainage basin: Vegetation is deciduous forest

Answer 21

Forests intercept water and also absorb it through their roots. This means that the soil wont have as much water to absorb as some will be taken up by the roots.

Question 22

Factor affecting drainage basin: The river runs through a town

Answer 22

A town is made of concrete which is impermeable and means that water will run off into the river meaning there will be more water than in a rural river

Question 23

Factor affecting drainage basin: A dam creates a reservoir behind it

Answer 23

Dams stop water which means that the old river channel beneath the dam will dry up so less water will be reaching the sea

Question 24

Factor affecting drainage basin: Prolonged rainfall

Answer 24

This means that there will be lots of water reaching the main river possibly leading to flooding

Question 25

Snow melts quickly

Answer 25

Water moves quickly downhill, this means there is lots of water in one area where there is more snow creating a lot of water

Question 26

In a hydrograph with a high peak and a short lag time discuss the possible things that will impact the discharge levels.

Answer 26

Size and shape of the of the drainage basin, Permeability, parent material, rainfall patterns, previous weather.