Rivers Flashcards
Define valley
An area with higher ground on either side.
Where a river runs through.
Define Floodplain
The land either side of the river which may flood
if the river overflows.
Define Confluence
The meeting point of a smaller river to a larger river
Define Watershed
Water shed is an imaginery outline of a river basin. An area of a higher ground
Define river basin
The area inside the watershed where rain wil collect into a river.
Define source
It where the river starts.
What are the four main forms of river erosion?
Hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition and solution
What is hydraulic action?
The force of the river against the banks can cause air to be trapped in the cracks. The pressure weakens the banks amd gradually wears it away.
What is abrasion?
Rocks carried along the rub and scrape along the river bed and banks
Fill in the blanks:
______ - rocks being carried by the river smash ________ and break into ______, smoother and rounder particles
Attrition
Together
Smaller
Fill in the blanks:
Solution - _______ rocks are ________ by the river
Soluble
Dissolved
Define suspension
Fine light material such as clay and carried along the water
Define saltation
Small pebbles and stone are bounced along the river bed
Define traction
Large boulders and rocks are rolled along the river bed
Define Solution
Minerals are dissolved in the water and carried along in sollotion
