3. Geomorphology (rivers and coasts) Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Abrasion

A

Abrasion - this is when pebbles grind along a rock platform or cliff base much like sandpaper. Over time the rock becomes smooth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Attrition

A

When rocks that the river is carrying knock against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Braiding

A

Braided rivers are a type of river that form a network of many branches within a channel.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Confluence

A

The point where two rivers (including tributaries) meet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Corrosion

A

the process of rocks and pebbles carried by the waves wearing away rocks as they are thrown against cliffs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Drainage Basin

A

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries is called
the drainage of river basin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Erosion

A

The wearing away of material. Erosion can
occur by hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition or
corrosion/solution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Fault

A

A line of weakness in rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Floodplain

A

the flat area either side of a river which os regularly flooded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Gorge

A

A deep, steep-sided valley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Hydraulic Action

A

This is the sheer power of the water as it smashes against the river banks. Air becomes trapped in the cracks of the river bank and bed, and causes the rock to break apart.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Impermeable

A

not allowing water to pass through

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Infiltration

A

The downward movement of water from the surface into the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Interception

A

This refers to the storage of water on leaf and plant stems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Lower Course

A

The final stage of the river, usually where it meets the sea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Middle Course

A

The section of the river which comes between the upper and lower course.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Mouth

A

the point where a river enters a sea, ocean, or lake

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Oxbow lake

A

the cut-off remnant of a meander found in the lower course of a river

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Porous

A

A rock with minute air spaces between the minerals.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Permeable Rapids

A

Permeable rapids are areas in rivers or streams where water can permeate through porous rocks, affecting water flow and hydrological processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Plunge pool

A

a deep pool which is formed by erosion at the base of the waterfall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Reservoir

A

a lake behind a dam

23
Q

River cliff

A

a steep, undercut area on the outside of a river meander

24
Q

Run off

A

The sum of all the water flowing over the drainage basin’s surface

25
Q

Saltation

A

Saltation involves pebble-sized particles bouncing along the riverbed, which also most commonly happens near the source.

26
Q

Scree

A

Loose rocks that fall and gather at the bottom of hills.

27
Q

Slip-off slope

A

a gently-sloping area formed on the inside of a river meander.

28
Q

Solution

A

When the water dissolves certain types of rocks, eg limestone.

29
Q

Source

A

the beginning of a river

30
Q

Spur

A

a rocky projection found in the upper section of a river’s cours.

31
Q

Suspension

A

the transport of silt in water

32
Q

Throughflow

A

The movement of water through the lower soil towards rivers, and groundwater flow.

33
Q

Traction

A

the transport of boulders in a rolling motion in water

34
Q

Tributary

A

a river joining a larger river

35
Q

Upper Course

A

the section of a river near its source, dominated by the processes of erosion

36
Q

Waterfall

A

a point on a river where water falls vertically

37
Q

Watershed

A

an area of highland separating river basins

38
Q

Water table

A

The water table is the underground depth at which the soil and rock are fully saturated with water.

39
Q

Weathering

A

The breakdown of material in-situ.
Weathering can be either physical, biological or
chemical.

40
Q

Transportation

A

Once material has been eroded it is
carried along by the river. Rivers transport material by traction, saltation, suspension or solution, or
floatation.

41
Q

Deposition

A

Where the river loses energy and drops (deposits) its load (the material being carried).

42
Q

What are the characteristics and processes of the Upper Valley?

A

Vertical erosion with Hydraulic action, abrasion & attrition dominant processes
Traction and saltation at high flow
Load size is large and angular
V shaped valleys

43
Q

What are the characteristics and processes of the Middle Course?

A

Channel is deeper and
wider
Vertical erosion decreasing in importance, more lateral erosion and deposition.
Suspension is the main transportation type
Load becomes smaller and less angular

44
Q

What are the characteristics and processes of the Lower Course?

A

Channel is at its widest and deepest, and may be tidal Deposition more important than erosion
Fine material deposited
Large amount of load but the size is very small and very rounded

45
Q

What is a long profile

A

LONG profile is the change in gradient with distance. It starts off steep but reduces with distance from source,and has a CONCAVE profile

46
Q

How are V-shaped Valleys formed

A

1) river erodes downward.
2) the sides are cut down and attacked by weathering.
3) the loosened material slowly creeps down the slope by gravity or is washed by rainwater.
4) it results in a steep sided valley with the shape of a V.

47
Q

What are Meanders formed by?

A

Depositition and Erosion

48
Q

How Waterfalls are formed?

A
49
Q

How are Floodplains formed?

A
50
Q

How are Ox-bow lakes formed?

A
51
Q

What are Deltas?

A

rivers empty water & sediment into seas/lakes/oceans

52
Q

What are Causes of Floods

A

Climatic conditions e.g. heavy rain, physical
features e.g. steep-sided valley and human factors e.g.
urbanisation.

53
Q

What are the Effects of Floods?

A

Buildings destroyed/damaged, people/animals
drown, infrastructure damages, crops ruined, insurance
claims, drinking water contaminated.

54
Q

What are the 2 ways of Managing floods?

A

Hard engineering is more expensive and
uses more raw materials to build structures that alter the
existing environment. Soft engineering works with the
natural environment to prevent flooding. Some examples: