Rivers: Hydrological System (Terms) Flashcards
What is the hydrologic cycle?
The continuous movement of water from the earth’s surface to the air and from the air back to the earth’s surface
Describe infiltration
The process where water soaks into the soil subsurface
Describe throughflow
The process where water that has infiltrated the soil flows sideways
Describe percolation
The process where water moves further down into unsaturated soil and rock layers
What is the water table?
The surface level of groundwater/Underground boundary between the soil surface and where groundwater saturates
Describe groundwater flow
The process where water from the water table flows sideways
Describe surface runoff
The process where water flows over the land
Define drainage basin
Area drained by a river system
Define a watershed
The boundary of a drainage basin
