Rivers

Question 1

What is the starting point of the river called

Answer 1

Source

Question 2

What is a path of a river called

Answer 2

Course

Question 3

Watershed:

Answer 3

A boundary that separates different river basins

Question 4

Tributaries:

Answer 4

Smaller rivers that join a larger river

Question 5

Confluence:

Answer 5

The meeting point of two rivers

Question 6

Estuary:

Answer 6

The area where freshwater from the river mixes with salty seawater. Also referred to as the tidal mouth of a river.

Question 7

Delta:

Answer 7

A build-up of sediment that forms land where the river meets the sea

Question 8

Mouth:

Answer 8

The point where the river enters the sea

Question 9

Distributaries:

Answer 9

Smaller rivers that form where a river meets the sea

Question 10

Meander:

Answer 10

A pronounced bend in the river created by erosion and deposition

Question 11

Drainage basin:

Answer 11

The entire area of land drained by a flowing river and its tributaries

Question 12

Channel:

Answer 12

The riverbed and the banks that the river flows through

Question 13

What are the 3 stages of a course of a river

Answer 13

Upper course
(Youthful stage)

Middle course
(Mature stage)

Lower course
(Old age stage)

Question 14

What is erosion

Answer 14

the wearing down of materials across the surface of the Earth. Erosion

Question 15

What is attrition

Answer 15

Attrition is when the river’s load hits and collides against itself in the water, causing the load to be broken down into smaller pieces.

Question 16

What is solution

Answer 16

Solution is when some of the river’s load is dissolved by water.

Question 17

What is hydraulic action

Answer 17

Hydraulic action is when the force of flowing water erodes the riverbank and riverbed.

Question 18

What is abrasion

Answer 18

Abrasion is when eroded material (load) crashes against the riverbank and riverbed.

Question 19

What is lateral erosion

Answer 19

Lateral erosion erodes laterally (side to side), widening the river channel.

Question 20

What is vertical erosion

Answer 20

Vertical erosion erodes downwards, deepening the river channel.

Question 21

What is transportation

Answer 21

Transportation refers to the movement of eroded material (load) by a river.

Question 22

What is traction

Answer 22

Traction (or rolling) is when large and heavy material is rolled along the riverbed by the force of the moving water.

Question 23

What is saltation

Answer 23

Saltation (or bouncing) is when smaller materials such as stones and small rocks are bounced along the riverbed by the force of moving water.

Question 24

What is suspension

Answer 24

Suspension is when small particles carried by a river just flow with the water.

Question 25

What is solution

Answer 25

Solution is when dissolved material is carried by the river.

Question 26

What is deposition

Answer 26

Deposition is when a river drops or deposits its load of eroded material.

Question 27

What is a V shaped valley

Answer 27

A V-shaped valley is a steep valley that forms in the youthful stage of a river's course.

Question 28

What is a waterfall

Answer 28

A waterfall is a drop in a river's course that forms in the upper course of a river.

Question 29

What is a plunge pool

Answer 29

A plunge pool is an eroded dip found at the base of a waterfall.

Question 30

What is interlocking spurs

Answer 30

Interlocking spurs are upland areas of hard rock on either side of a river.

Question 31

What is a meander

Answer 31

A meander is a round bend in rivers

Question 32

What is a floodplain

Answer 32

A floodplain is an area of land on either side of a river in the middle and lower courses.