Water + Sediment Movement on Slopes Flashcards
1
Q
What are the ways water + sediment moves downhill due to gravity?
A
- rainsplash
- sheetwash
- rills
2
Q
What is rainsplash?
A
- raindrops hit surface + impact dislodges soil particles which move downhill due to gravity
- most effective on bare slopes/agri. land
3
Q
What is sheetwash?
A
- when a shallow sheet of water flows over slope surface causing top layers of slope to transport downhill
- occurs when gradient too low for water to concentrate together into streams
4
Q
What are rills?
A
- small streams developed by erosive flowing water
- develop on slopes, as water flows downwards naturally due to gravity
- over time becomes gullies
- lots of soil + nutrients washed away
