Rivers Flashcards
What is the beginning of the river called?
The source
What is the end of the river called?
The mouth
What do long profiles focus on?
The gradient
What do cross profiles focus on?
The valley sides
What is Traction?
Traction is a method of transportation for large stones or boulders in a river which roll along the river bed.
What is saltation?
This is whenSmall rocks and pebbles bounce across the river floor.
How do you remember the difference between saltation and traction.
SALTation begins with salt,which is made up of small grains-The small rocks and pebbles,and TRACTion begins with TRACT,like tractors-which have big wheels representing the big boulders.
What happens when the river can’t erode through the hard rock?
If the river cant go THROUGH the hard rock it will bend around it.
What is made when the river bends around the hard rock?
Interlocking spurs,which is often referrred to a zip like structure.
What is deposition?
When the river has any less energy,and may lose any sediment or other materials depositing it,leaving a layer of sediment on the whole floodplain.
What is a floodplain?
An area of flat land next to a river.This land gets covered when flooding occurs.
What is the second step in the formation of oxbow lakes?
Most water is directed towards the bend,the friction is less with increased velocity
What is the first step in the formation of oxbow lakes?
The river erodes towards the neck making it narrower.
What is the third step in the formation of oxbow lakes?
The fast water erodes the outside bend due to sheer speed,this fast water is getting in cracks and breaking down the rock.This is hydraulic action,and in addition,corrosion also takes place.
What is hydraulic action?
When water gets in cracks in rocks and breaks the rock
