Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology

Question 1

Hydrological Cycle

Answer 1

The system of water movement around the earth.

Question 2

Lithosphere

Answer 2

The geological world (rocks that make up the earth’s crust)

Question 3

Atmosphere

Answer 3

The layer of gases that surround the earth.

Question 4

Biosphere

Answer 4

All the living organisms found on earth.

Question 5

Drainage basin

Answer 5

Area of land that drains water to a single outlet into a lake or a sea.

Question 6

Watershed

Answer 6

This is the boundary line of a basin, usually a high ridge of land.

Question 7

Mouth

Answer 7

Where the river ends at the sea or a lake.

Question 8

Source

Answer 8

Where the river begins, usually in mountainous areas.

Question 9

Tributary

Answer 9

Smaller rivers or streams joining the main one.

Question 10

Confluence

Answer 10

Where a tributary meets the main river or two rivers meet.

Question 11

Drainage Patterns

Answer 11

The pattern or ‘network’ of streams and rivers within a drainage basin can vary greatly. These patterns are often determined by the underlying geology (rocks and soil type).

Question 12

Dendritic drainage pattern

Answer 12

A tree-like pattern where water may converge from a variety of directions before joining a main river channel.

Question 13

Rectangular drainage pattern

Answer 13

Where the streams and channels follow geological weaknesses and gaps in the blocky bedrock.

Question 14

Radial drainage pattern

Answer 14

Where water drains away from a central high point, volcano, hill or mountain into separate channels.

Question 15

Trellised drainage pattern

Answer 15

Where streams follow slopes downhill and converge along areas of eroded rock.

Question 16

Endorheic drainage basins

Answer 16

Inland basins that do not drain into one of the world’s oceans. Instead, they drain into a lake or small inland sea. 18% of the earth’s surface made up of these. Much of this is in central Asia, like the Caspian and Aral Seas.