Potholes (Fluvial Erosion) Flashcards
1
Q
How are potholes formed?
A
Pebbles become trapped in slight hollows and vertical eddies in the water are strong enough to allow the sediment to grind a hole into the rock by abrasion (corrasion). Attrition rounds and smooths the pebbles caught in the hole and helps to reduce the size of the bedload.
2
Q
How big are potholes?
A
They vary from a few centimetres to several meters.
3
Q
Where are potholes found?
A
In the upper or early/middle course of a river- this is where the valley lies well above base level, giving more potential for downcutting, and where the river bed is more likely to be rocky in nature.
4
Q
What are potholes?
A
Cylindrical holes drilled into the rocky bed of a river by turbulent high-velocity water loaded with pebbles.
