River Piracy

0.0(0)
Studied by 0 people
call kaiCall Kai
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
GameKnowt Play
Card Sorting

1/10

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no tags are added yet.

Last updated 4:22 PM on 6/11/26
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced
Call with Kai

No analytics yet

Send a link to your students to track their progress

11 Terms

1
New cards

Stream Piracy / River Capture

The process by which a MORE energetic river (captor stream) erodes through a watershed and captures/diverts the headwaters of a LESS energetic river.

<p>The process by which a MORE energetic river (captor stream) erodes through a watershed and captures/diverts the headwaters of a LESS energetic river.</p>
2
New cards

Captor Stream

The MORE energetic river that erodes through the watershed and captures another river. Gains extra water and becomes rejuvenated and overgraded.

<p>The MORE energetic river that erodes through the watershed and captures another river. Gains extra water and becomes rejuvenated and overgraded.</p>
3
New cards

Captured Stream

The LESS energetic river that is captured/stolen by the captor stream. It loses its headwaters.

<p>The LESS energetic river that is captured/stolen by the captor stream. It loses its headwaters.</p>
4
New cards

Elbow of Capture

The point/bend where the capture occurred. The captured river CHANGES DIRECTION and begins to flow into the captor stream. Forms a sharp bend (elbow shape).

<p>The point/bend where the capture occurred. The captured river CHANGES DIRECTION and begins to flow into the captor stream. Forms a sharp bend (elbow shape).</p>
5
New cards

Wind Gap

The part of the original (captured) river's valley, between the elbow of capture and the misfit stream, that is now DRY and filled with gravel. The valley is now above the water level.

<p>The part of the original (captured) river's valley, between the elbow of capture and the misfit stream, that is now DRY and filled with gravel. The valley is now above the water level.</p>
6
New cards

Misfit Stream

The part of the captured river that has LOST its headwaters through piracy. It becomes a small, weak stream flowing in a valley that is now too large for it. Eventually dries up.

<p>The part of the captured river that has LOST its headwaters through piracy. It becomes a small, weak stream flowing in a valley that is now too large for it. Eventually dries up.</p>
7
New cards

Abstraction

The process whereby the WATERSHED becomes LOWER and its position SHIFTS. Occurs because the gradient is different on each side of the watershed → more erosion on the steeper side → watershed lowers and migrates. Example: Drakensberg Mountains.

<p>The process whereby the WATERSHED becomes LOWER and its position SHIFTS. Occurs because the gradient is different on each side of the watershed → more erosion on the steeper side → watershed lowers and migrates. Example: Drakensberg Mountains.</p>
8
New cards

Effect on Captor Stream after stream piracy

Gains extra water → excess energy → OVERGRADED → rejuvenated → erodes a deep valley upstream by headward erosion.

9
New cards

Effect on Misfit Stream after stream piracy

Loses water → insufficient energy → UNDERGRADED → deposits its load → flows in a valley that is too large for it.

10
New cards

Watershed

The ridge or high ground that separates two adjacent drainage basins. Water on each side flows in different directions.

11
New cards

What is the sequence of events in stream piracy?

  1. Captor stream has steeper gradient → more energy.

  2. Erodes headward through watershed.

  3. Captures the headwaters of the weaker river.

  4. Elbow of capture forms.

  5. Wind gap is left dry.

  6. Misfit stream loses water and dries up.

  7. Captor is rejuvenated.