River Landscapes and Processes Flashcards
(5 cards)
what is a drainage basin
an area of land that is drained by a river
key terms associated with drainage basin and definitions
WATERSHED - boundary between a drainage basin and the next drainage basin. This is usually high and such as hills or ridges, rain can fall on one side of the hill and drain completely into another river on the other side of a hill
TRIBUTARY - a smaller stream or river that joins a larger stream or river
SOURCE - the starting point of a stream of or a river. Often these are springs or lakes found in mountainous areas where rainfall totals are higher
CONFLUENCE - this is the point at which two streams or rivers meet
MOUTH - the point at which a river leaves its drainage basin and flows into the sea. also known as an estuary
drainage basin key terms and definitions
INTERCEPTION - water that is caught/intercepted by vegetation
STEMFLOW - the movement of water downwards along stems, branches and trunks
INFILTRATION - the downward movement of water from the surface into the soil layer
THROUGHFLOW - the movement of water through the soil layer
PERCOLATION - the downward movement of water from the soil layer into the rock layer below
GROUNDWATER FLOW - the movement of water through the rock layer
SURFACE RUN OFF - the movement of water across the surface of the ground
RIVER CHANNEL FLOW - the movement of water within the river channel
transportation processes
TRACTION - rolling larger heavy stones across the river bed. Needs the most energy and is most common near the source of the river
SALTATION - sand sized particles bounce along the river bed. Most common near the source
SUSPENSION - silt and clay sized particles are carried/suspended within the water flow. Most common near the mouth
SOLUTION - some minerals dissolve in the water, this needs the least amount of energy. It varies along the river depending on the presence of soluble rocks
mass movement definition
the downslope movement of material under the influence of gravity
