River Landscapes in the UK - key words

Question 1

Landscape

Answer 1

An extensive (large) arae of land regarded as being visually and physically distinct.

Question 2

Abrasion

Answer 2

This is caused by the scraping away of the river bed and banks by stones picked up and carried in the rivers flow.

Question 3

Attrition

Answer 3

This occurs as rocks bag against each other, gradually breaking eachother down. (rocks become smaller and less angular as attrition occurs)

Question 4

Cross profile

Answer 4

This relates to the cross - sectional shape of the chnnel or valley - including width/depth and shape.

Question 5

Dam and Reservoir

Answer 5

Dams are large concrete barriers built across a river - the water behind the dam is stored in an artificial lake known as as a reservoir - water is then gradually released downstream to control the flow of the water and reduce flood risk.

Question 6

Discharge

Answer 6

The amount of water passing a given point in a given time - measured in cumecs (metres cubed/second) calculated by velocity x volume.

Question 7

Embankments

Answer 7

Artificially raised banks, increasing channel capacity to reduce floodrisk. Bulldozers are used to build up the height of banks with impermeable soil (sometimes lined up with concrete).

Question 8

Estuary

Answer 8

The tidal part of a river - where the channel rises as it reaches the sea.

Question 9

Flood Plain

Answer 9

A wide valley floor on either side of a river which occasionally gets flooded.

Question 10

Hydraulic action

Answer 10

This is where the force of the water in the channel hitting against the bed and banks gradually wears - particularly occurs when high velocity flow.

Question 11

Interlocking spurs

Answer 11

Projections of high land that alternte from either side of a valley and project into the valley floor.

Question 12

Lateral Erosion

Answer 12

Undercutting of the river bank and the formation of a steep - sided river on the outer bend.

Question 13

Levees

Answer 13

Natural embankments along the edges of a river channel.

Question 14

Long profile

Answer 14

Shows the chnge in gradient from a rivers source to its mouth.

Question 15

Meander

Answer 15

Large bends in a river formed by erosion and depostion.

Question 16

Precipitation

Answer 16

Rain, hail, sleet or snow.

Question 17

Saltation

Answer 17

Sand sized particles may be bounced along the riverbed in a ‘leap - frog’ motion.

Question 18

Solution or Corrosion

Answer 18

Some minerals in the bed and banks will dissolve in the water and will be carried in solution (requires the least energy).

Question 19

Suspension

Answer 19

Small particles (silt and clay - sized) are carried within the water by the turbulent flow.

Question 20

Traction

Answer 20

Heaviest material is rolled along the river bed (requires the most energy)

Question 21

Waterfall

Answer 21

A vertical drop in the channel, representing a change in slope in the river (usually from some height).

Question 22

Plateau

Answer 22

An area of fairly level, high ground.

Question 23

Source

Answer 23

The name given to where a river starts.

Question 24

Watershed

Answer 24

An area of high land which divides two drainage basins.

Question 25

Peninsula

Answer 25

A piece of land bordered on three sides by water but connected to the mainland.

Question 26

Scarp

Answer 26

A cliff, steep slope or ridge of higher land.

Question 27

Vale

Answer 27

A term used instead of saying ‘valley’.

Question 28

Confluence

Answer 28

Where one river meets another river.

Question 29

Mouth

Answer 29

Where the river flows into the sea or lake, the end of a river.

Question 30

Tributaries

Answer 30

Little rivers flowing into bigger rivers.

Question 31

Gradient

Answer 31

The change in the slope of the river bed as it passes from source to mouth.

Question 32

Channel Width

Answer 32

The distance from one bank to another.

Question 33

Channel Depth

Answer 33

The distance from the surface of the water to the channel bed.

Question 34

Velocity

Answer 34

The speed at which water is moving through the channel - measured in m/s.

Question 35

Inputs

Answer 35

Water entering the drainage basin system.

Question 36

Transfers (flows)

Answer 36

The movement of water through the drainage basin system.

Question 37

Stores

Answer 37

Water stored in the drainage basin system.

Question 38

Outputs

Answer 38

Water leaving the drainage basin system.

Question 39

Surface storage

Answer 39

When water lies on the ground as puddles or lakes.

Question 40

Groundwater flow

Answer 40

Very slow water movement deep below the ground.

Question 41

Evaporation

Answer 41

When water heated by the sun changes to water vapour.

Question 42

Infiltration

Answer 42

When surface water soaks into the soil.

Question 43

Interception

Answer 43

When water droplets collect on trees and plants.

Question 44

Throughflow

Answer 44

Water flowing downhill through the soil.

Question 45

Surface runoff

Answer 45

water moving across the ground as a stream or river.

Question 46

Soil moisture

Answer 46

Water stored in the soil and broken rocks near the surface.

Question 47

Percolation.

Answer 47

Water moving downwards through the soil into rocks below.

Question 48

Groundwater

Answer 48

Water stored in porous rocks deep below the ground.

Question 49

Transpiration

Answer 49

Water vapour released by trees and plants.

Question 50

Water Table

Answer 50

Upper level of saturated rock/soil.

Question 51

Lag Time

Answer 51

Difference between the peak rainfall and peak discharge.

Question 52

Hard engineering

Answer 52

This is where man - made structures are used to prevent or control natural processes from taking place.

Question 53

Soft engineering

Answer 53

Involves adapting to a river and working with natural processes.