Physical Landscapes in the UK 2 Flashcards
Examples of Hard Engineering defenses
Groynes
Sea Walls
Gabions or Rip Rap
Examples of Soft Engineering defences
Beach Nourishment
Managed Retreat
Water Cycle Key Terms
Precipitation
Interception
Surface Runoff
Infiltration
Transpiration
Precipitation
Moisture falling from clouds as rain, snow or hail
Interception
Vegetation prevent water reaching the ground
Surface Runoff
Water flowing over surface of the land into rivers
Infiltration
Water absorbed into the soil from the ground
Transpiration
Water lost through leaves of plants
Examples of Physical causes of Flooding
Prolong and Heavy rainfall
Relief
Geology
Examples of Human causes of Flooding
Land use
Prolong and Heavy rainfall
Long periods of rain causes soil to become saturated leading runoff
Relief
Steep-sided valleys channels water to flow quickly into rivers causing greater discharge
Geology
Impermeable rocks causes surface runoff to increase river discharge
Land Use
Tarmac and concrete are impermeable. This prevents infiltration & causes surface runoff
Lower course of a river
Near the river’s mouth, the river widens further and becomes flatter. Material transported is deposited
Formation of Floodplains and levees
When a river floods, fine silt/alluvium is deposited on the valley floor. Closer to the river’s banks, the heavier materials build up to form natural levees
What do floodplains and levees cause
Nutrient rich soil that makes it ideal for farming
Flat land for building houses
What are the two types of river management schemes
Soft Engineering
Hard Engineering
Examples of Soft Engineering (rivers)
Afforestation
Demountable Flood Barriers
Managed Flooding
Examples of Hard Engineering
Straightening Channel
Artificial Levees
Deepening or widening river
Afforestation
plant trees to soak up rainwater, reduces flood risk
Demountable flood barriers
put in place when warning raised