Raging Rivers Flashcards | End of years - 2023
What is a drainage basin?
A drainage basin is the area of land around the river that is drained by the river and its tributaries
Define precipitation
All forms of moisture that reach the Earth’s surface e.g rain, snow, sleet and hail
Define evaporation
The transformation of water droplets into water vapour by heating
Define transpiration
Evaporation from plant leaves
Define condensation
Water vapour turns to liquid
Define infiltration
The downward movement of water into the soil surface
Define Surface run - off
Water flowing over the land surface
Define Percolation
The gravity flow of water within the soil
Define Throughflow
The movement of water downslope within the soil layer
Define channelflow
The flow of water in streams, rivers, and other channels.
List the four types of erosion
Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, solution
Define hydraulic action
When powerful water smashes against the river banks, braking it
define abrasion
When pebbles grind along the river bank and bed in a sandpapering effect
Define attrition
When rocks in the water crash against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded
Define solution
When water dissolves certain types of rocks, e.g limestones.
