Fluvial Processes Flashcards
What is Erosion
Erosion is the wearing away of land surface by a moving agent such as water or wind.
What is Deposition
Deposition is the process by which transported sediments are dropped off in a new location when the transporting agent loses energy.
What is Transportation
Transportation is the process by which eroded materials are moved from one place to another.
List the 4 ways which Erosion Occurs
Hydraulic Action, Solution, Attrition and Abrasion
Describe Hydraulic Action
Hydraulic Action – The force of moving water enters cracks in rocks, creating pressure. Over time, this pressure causes the rock to break apart. This is common in rivers and coastal areas.
Describe Abrasion
rocks and sediments carried by a moving agent grind against surfaces, acting like sandpaper and wearing them down. This process helps carve out riverbeds, cliffs, and coastal features.
Name SOME land forms formed by erosion
Waterfalls, Cliffs, Meanders, Valleys and Hanging Valleys
List the 4 ways Transportation Occurs
Traction, Saltation, Suspension, Solution
Define Traction Transportation
This occurs when large rocks and boulders are rolled or dragged along the riverbed or seabed by strong currents. This process happens in high-energy environments, such as fast-flowing rivers or stormy coastal waves.
Define Saltation Transportation
Small pebbles and coarse sand grains are lifted slightly off the ground by water or wind and then dropped back down in a hopping or bouncing motion.
How is a Flood Plain Formed
Floodplains are formed when a river overflows its banks, depositing sediments as the water slows down. Over time, repeated floods build up layers of silt, creating a wide, flat, and fertile area. Levees may also form along the river’s edge from coarser sediments.
Name 2 Land forms created by transportation
Meanders and Sand Dunes
Name 2 Land forms created by deposition
Levees and Deltas
