Key Tearms Flashcards
(19 cards)
Watershed
Ridge of land that forms the boundary between 2 adjacent drainage basins
Source
The point at which any river or stream beggins
Tributary
A stream that flows into a larger river
Confluence
Point at which a tributary joins a main river
Mouth
Where the river meets the sea
Channel
The path through which a river flows
Erosion
Process where by which the river wears away the land. The ability of the river to erode depends on its velocity
Transportation
Process by which a river transport the rivers load
Deposition
Prodded by which the river drops its load. Material deposited by a river is called sediment
Abrasion
Sand and stone repeatedly scrapes the bed and banks causing some materials to break of. (Sandpaper)
Solution
Water reacts chemically with rocks and devolve minerals especially with rocks such as chalk and limestone.
Attrition
The load (rocks and pebbles) being carried by the river knock against each other and break into smaller pieces over time.
Hydraulic action
The sheer force of water hitting the bed and banks. Most effective with fast flowing currents.
Vertical erosion
Downwards erosion - common in the upper course of the river
Lateral erosion
Sideways erosion- common in the middle and lower course of the river.
Traction
Large rocks and boulders are rolled along the bed ( too heavy to be picked up)
Saltation
Pebbles and stones are flicked up and bounced along the river bed
Suspension
Particles are light enough to be carried and can float in the river
Solution
Soluble rocks are resolved and carried by the river
