Section 23.3 Water Shapes the Land Flashcards
What is deposition?
the process in which sediment is laid down in new locations
What is saltation?
the process of particles bouncing along a stream bottom
What is a flood plain?
the flat area along a stream that is entirely covered only during times of flooding
What is a meander?
a loop-like bend in a river (usually on flood plains)
What is an oxbow lake?
a separate, curved lake formed when a meandar is cut off and deposition of sediment separates the lake from the river
What is an alluvial fan?
a fan-shaped deposit of of sediment on land formed between mountains and flat plains
What is a delta?
a mass of sediment deposited where a river enters a large body of water (usually triangular shaped)
What is a stalactite?
an icicle-like formation on a cavern ceiling left over from mineral deposition
What is a stalagmite?
a pillar of minerals forming on the floor of a cavern from mineral deposition
What is a sinkhole?
a hole caused by erosion weakening a layer of limestone found in the bedrock
What is the most important factor influencing the ability of a stream to cause erosion?
a stream’s ability to erode depends mainly on its speed.
high speed = V-Shaped valleys, waterfalls
low speed= flood plains, oxbow lakes, meanders
What features are formed by surface water erosion?
V-shaped valleys and waterfalls. Meanders and oxbow lakes.
What features are deposited by running water?
alluvial fans (mountains-plains) and deltas (plains-ocean)
What causes groundwater erosion?
chemical weathering causes much groundwater erosion, including the formation of caves and sinkholes
