River Processes Flashcards
What is Hydraulic Action
Force of the water smashing against the cliffs edge causing rock to break away
What is Attrition
When rocks carried by the river hit against each other causing them to wear away
What is Abrasion
When pebbles grind along the river bank and bed in a sand
What is Solution
Acids in the water that break down certain rocks
What is Traction
Large, heavy pebbles are rolled along the river bed - common near the source of a river (upper course)
What is Saltation
Pebbles are bounced along the river bed - common near the source of a river (upper course)
What is Suspension
Light sediment is carried within the water - common near the moth of the river (lower course)
What is Solution
Transport of dissolved chemicals
What are factors that lead to deposition
Shallow Water
End of the rivers journey
Amount of water decreases
What are Drainage Basins
Area of land around the river that is drained by the river
What is a Watershed
The area of high land forming the edge of a river basin
What is the Mouth of a river
Where the river meets the rive
What is the Source of a river
Where the river begins
What is the Confluence
Where two rivers meet
What is a Tributary
Small river joins big river
What is the Channel of a river
Where the river flows
What is a Long profile
Line showing river for source to mouth. Shows how the river has changed over time
What is a Cross profile
Shows cross-section of a rivers channel and valley at a certain point of the river
