Important river and water cycle terminology reverse Flashcards
Condensation
The cooling and transition of a gas so that it changes into a liquid, for instance as water vapour cools, it condenses to become water droplets.
Confluence
Where two rivers meet and join to form one larger river.
Delta
A build up of sediment at the point where a river meets a sea or lake, due to the water velocity slowing and the river having less energy to carry the sediment.
Drainage Basin
The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.
Estuary
The point at which a river begins to meet the sea. The river will be tidal, meaning that it will have both salt water and fresh water in it.
Evaporation
The transition of a substance from a liquid to a gas
Evapo-transpiration
The combination of evaporation and transpiration.
Fluvial
The term relating to a river, from the Latin for water.
Surface Run-off
The flow of water occurring on the ground surface due to excess rainwater, stormwater, meltwater, or other sources,
Groundwater
The water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.
Hydrology
The study of water
Infiltration
The downward movement of water that seeps into the soil or a porous rock.
Mouth
The end of the river, where it meets the sea, or a lake.
Overland Flow
When water flows over the surface of the ground. This occurs for a number of reasons: the soil may be saturated and therefore be unable to absorb any more water; the underlying rock may be impermeable or the ground may be frozen.
Percolation
The movement of water through the soil or underlying porous rock. This water collects as groundwater.
