River landscapes in the UK -River processes Flashcards
Hydraulic action -
This is the sheer power of the water as it smashes against the river banks. Air becomes trapped in the cracks of the river bank and bed, and causes the rock to break apart.
Abrasion -
When pebbles grind along the river bank and bed in a sand-papering effect.
Attrition -
When rocks that the river is carrying knock against each other. They break apart to become smaller and more rounded.
Solution -
When the water dissolves certain types of rocks, eg limestone.
Traction -
.
large, heavy pebbles are rolled along the river bed. This is most common near the source of a river, as here the load is larger.
Saltation -
pebbles are bounced along the river bed, most commonly near the source.
Suspension -
lighter sediment is suspended (carried) within the water, most commonly near the mouth of the river.
Solution -
the transport of dissolved chemicals. This varies along the river depending on the presence of soluble rocks.
Deposition
When the river loses energy, it drops any of the material it has been carrying. This is known as a deposition.
Factors leading to deposition:
shallow water
at the end of the river’s journey, at the river’s mouth
when the volume of the water decreases
A drainage basin
is the area of land around the river that is drained by the river and its tributaries.
Source -
where a river begins
Mouth -
where a river meets the sea
Confluence -
the point at which two rivers meet
Tributary -
a small river or stream that joins a larger river
