River Processes Flashcards
What is erosion in the context of river processes?
The wearing away of the river’s water, bed and banks.
Define hydraulic action.
Water pounding against the bed and banks, forcing water into cracks and causing pieces to break off.
What is abrasion in river processes?
Particles of rocks and sand carried in the water that scrape and bang against the bed and banks.
What happens during attrition?
Rocks in the water bang against one another, making them smaller, smoother, and rounder.
Define solution in river processes.
The chemical action of river water that dissolves soluble minerals in rocks.
What is transportation in the context of rivers?
When the river has enough energy to carry sediment along its course.
What is traction?
The rolling of rocks and boulders along the river bed during high discharge times.
Define saltation.
Small stones and pebbles are bounced along the river bed.
What is suspension in river processes?
Very small particles of sand or clay are carried in the water.
What occurs during deposition?
Material being transported by a river is dropped when the river loses energy.
Fill in the blank: Material is dissolved in the water and carried, e.g., limestone dissolved by _______.
acidic rainwater.
True or False: Deposition can occur when a river enters a shallow area or meets another body of water.
True.
