Water On The Land Flashcards
(90 cards)
Water On Land
What is a drainage basin?
Imaginary area of land that water collects into.
Water On Land
What is the mouth?
Where river meets sea
Water On Land
What is the source?
Where river begins - usually in mountains or at high altitude
Water On Land
What is water surplus?
Having more water than is needed - amount exceeds demand.
Water On Land
What is water deficit?
Not having enough water to meet demand.
Water On Land
What is a confluence?
Point at which two rivers or streams join.
Water On Land
What is attrition?
Rocks and stones knock into each other and wear away.
Water On Land
What is traction?
Big boulders and stones are rolled and dragged along river bed.
Water On Land
What is transportation?
When a river moves sediment from one position to another through the force of flowing water
Water On Land
What is deposition?
When a river drops sediment due to an insufficient amount of energy to carry material
Water On Land
What is erosion?
The wearing away of moving rocks.
Water On Land
What is a tributary?
A stream or smaller river which joins a larger stream or river.
Water On Land
What is a watershed?
Edge of highland surrounding a drainage basin. Marks boundary between two drainage basins.
Water On Land
What is a meander?
A large bend in river caused by both erosion and deposition.
Water On Land
What is a floodplain?
Wide valley floor on either side of river which gets flooded.
Water On Land
What is a levee?
Natural embankments along river edge which builds up when material is deposited as velocity decreases.
Water On Land
How are levees formed?
During flood material is deposited over floodplain with heaviest sediment deposited first, closest to channel. Material builds up to form levees along channel edge.
Water On Land
What is abrasion?
Pebbles are dragged along and knock into the river bed, wearing away the channel.
Water On Land
What is hydraulic action?
Pressure builds up from fast flowing water in cracks, breaking the channel.
Water On Land
What is suspension?
Very small particles are carried in river and suspended in water - making it look muddy.
Water On Land
What is saltation?
Small stones and pebbles are bounced along in flowing water.
Water On Land
What is weathering?
Erosion of rocks in situ
Water On Land
What are the positive economic impacts of a dam/reservoir?
Income generated for local community at each step of project. Provides new infrastructure for water and electricity.
Water On Land
What are the positive social impacts of a dam/reservoir?
Supplies clean water - provision of electricity encourages industrial development.