Section C - River Landscapes In The UK Flashcards
what is the drainage basin
an area of land drained by a river and its tributaries
what is the source
the start of a river
what is the tributary
a small stream that joins a larger river
what is the confluence
where a tributary joins a larger river
what is the mouth
the end of a river, usually where a river joins the sea
what is the watershed
the edge of a river basin
how do the long profile of a river change from source to mouth?
> where the water is shallow and turbulent there is friction with the bed and banks, slowing the rate of flow
further downstream rhe river’s channel is much deeper. less water is in contact with the bed and banks and the velocity increases
what does the long profile of a river show you
how the gradient changes over the different courses
how does the cross profile of a river and its valley change downstream
> the river channel becomes wider and deeper with the river valley becoming wider and flatter. its sides are less steep
river management can alter the shape of a river channel and different ypes of rock or human activities
these changes downstream are due to the amout of water flowin in the river
the changes to a valleys cross profile are mainly due to?
> channel erosion broadening
>flattening
what does the cross profile show you
what a cross section of the river looke like
River erosion : what is solution
the dissolving of soluble chemicals in water
River erosion : what is hydraulic power
the power of the river water as they smash onto the river bed
River erosion : what is abrasion
the effect of pebbles grinding against the river bed
River erosion : what is attrition
pebbles carried by the river that knock against one another
River transportation : what is traction
large pebbles rolled along the riverbed
River transportation : what is suspension
particles carried within the water
River transportation : what is solution
dissolved cgemicals often derived from pebbles
River transportation : what is saltation
a bouncing motion of particles too heavy to be suspended
What is river deposition and what is an example
when the water carrying sediment loses energy. this will happenin different places along the river. an example of this is a meander where the inside of the bend reduces rivere energy, resulting in deposition
DEPOSITION : where are estuaries found
at the mouth of a river, where it meets the sea. the land is close to sea level and the river valley is at its widest
EROSION : where are interlocking spurs found
found in a rivers upper course
EROSION : how do interlocking spurs form
form because of vertical erosion wearing away the land to create a V shaped valley
EROSION : how are waterfalls formed
formed when a river flows over a relatively resistant band or hard rock
EROSION : what is a gorge
a narrow, steep sided valley that is usually found immediately downstream of a waterfall
EROSION : how are gorges formed
formed by the gradual retreat by a waterfall
DEPOSITION AND EROSION : what are meanders
wide bends of a river found mainly in lowland areas
DEPOSITION : what are pools/riffles
meandering streams carrying coarse sediment