HOT: Landforms created by Water Erosion

Question 1

What landforms are created by water erosion? (5)

Answer 1

• Exogenous rivers
• Alluvial fan
• Playa
• Canyon
• Wadi

Question 2

What are flash floods?

Answer 2

Rare thunderstorms where water rapidly RUNS OFF due to hot, dry ground.

Question 3

What are exogenous rivers?

Answer 3

River which flows through an arid area but forms OUTSIDE this area.

Question 4

How are alluvial fans formed?

Answer 4

Fan shaped deposit, made up of SEDIMENT over time. Often found at the BASE of mountain ranges where streams FLOW OUT e.g. at end of a wadi/canyon. Sediment DROPS out of stream flow as energy DECREASES due to WIDENING of the channel. Sediment BUILDS UP and forces stream to carve ANOTHER channel.

Question 5

How are playas formed?

Answer 5

Evaporation of water from lake, leaving behind salt.

Question 6

How are canyons formed?

Answer 6

Narrow VALLEY with STEEP rock sides and RIVER running through it. COARSE sediment carried by water in flash floods, abrades rock base of the river bed more than the sides, thus helping to create steep sides.

Question 7

How are wadis formed?

Answer 7

Dry river that only carries water after INTENSE RAIN. Water ERODES the bed to shape sides and flat base - hydraulic action and abrasion.