Section 23.3 Water Shapes the Land Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is deposition?
the process in which sediment is laid down in new locations
What is saltation?
the process of particles bouncing along a stream bottom
What is a flood plain?
the flat area along a stream that is entirely covered only during times of flooding
What is a meander?
a loop-like bend in a river (usually on flood plains)
What is an oxbow lake?
a separate, curved lake formed when a meandar is cut off and deposition of sediment separates the lake from the river
What is an alluvial fan?
a fan-shaped deposit of of sediment on land formed between mountains and flat plains
What is a delta?
a mass of sediment deposited where a river enters a large body of water (usually triangular shaped)
What is a stalactite?
an icicle-like formation on a cavern ceiling left over from mineral deposition
What is a stalagmite?
a pillar of minerals forming on the floor of a cavern from mineral deposition
What is a sinkhole?
a hole caused by erosion weakening a layer of limestone found in the bedrock
What is the most important factor influencing the ability of a stream to cause erosion?
a stream’s ability to erode depends mainly on its speed.
high speed = V-Shaped valleys, waterfalls
low speed= flood plains, oxbow lakes, meanders
What features are formed by surface water erosion?
V-shaped valleys and waterfalls. Meanders and oxbow lakes.
What features are deposited by running water?
alluvial fans (mountains-plains) and deltas (plains-ocean)
What causes groundwater erosion?
chemical weathering causes much groundwater erosion, including the formation of caves and sinkholes
