Geomorphology Definitions Flashcards
what is permeable?
rocks or soil which allows water to move through it quickly
what is porosity?
rocks or solids with pores where water can be stored
what is a drainage basin?
the entire area drained by a river system
what is a river system?
a mainstream and all its tributaries
what is a tributary
smaller streams that flow into the main stream of a river
what is a confluence?
the place in the river where two tributaries meet
what is a watershed?
high lying area separating different drainage basins
what is the source?
the beginning of all streams
what is a river mouth?
where the river ends into the sea or ocean
what is surface run-off?
water that runs over the surface of the earth during and after precipitation and ends up in rivers
what is direct run-off?
surface run-off ending in rivers
what is indirect run-off?
water that first infiltrates into the soil before being released into streams through base flow
what is base flow?
refers to groundwater that seeps into streams
what is groundwater?
water stored in porous soils and rock masses
what is the water table?
top level of groundwater, beneath water table is soil which is saturated with water
