Rivers - Hjulstrom Curve

Question 1

What does it show?

Answer 1

Relationship between the velocity of the river and the size of particles that can be eroded, transported or deposited.

Question 2

Small particles

Answer 2

Hard to entrain (pick up) as they stick together.
Only deposited at very low velocities.
Need high velocity to be eroded.
(Sand doesn’t require a high velocity to erode)

Question 3

Large particles

Answer 3

Need a high velocity to erode.
Small difference between erosion velocity and settling velocity.
Deposited soon after they have been entrained as they don’t travel far.