Surface Processes Flashcards
what factors affect the rate of weathering
climate, exposed surface area, mineral composition
how are sediments deposited
sorted sediments, unsorted sediments
sorted sediments
when larger, more dense, rounder particles settle out first
unsorted sediments
when sediments drop out in no particular order (all mixed up)
mass movement
downhill movement of rock or sediment without being carried by wind, water, or ice, caused directly by the force of gravity
sandbar
a collection of sand that points like a finger. tells you direction waves are travelling
watershed
the geographic area drained by a particular river or stream (drainage basin)
solution
sediments are dissolved
suspension
sediments remained mixed in with the water for a long time
traction
sediments roll on the stream bed
as velocity increases, the size of the particle transported __________
increases
what factors affect stream velocity
stream gradient (slope), stream discharge
stream gradient
steepness of land stream flows down
stream discharge
the volume of water flowing past a fixed point in a given period of time
v-shaped valley
running water erodes land in a v shape
meanders
a stream with curves that develop when a stream flows over relatively flat land
oxbow lake
a u-shaped body of water that forms when a wide meander from the main stem of a river is cut off, creating a free standing body of water
levee
streams in broad valleys sometimes flood and leave deposits of sand and silt on the land bordering and parallel to the streams
how to streams change over time?
younger streams have a steep slope, fast moving, straight channel and v-shaped valley
older streams are flat land, slow moving, high deposition, and meanders
continental glacier
glaciers that form at high latitudes and flow outward to cover a large part of a continent