hydrology

What is the hydrologic cycle?

An endless cycle involving reservoirs (e.g., oceans) and pathways (e.g., evaporation) that describes the movement of water.

What are the main reservoirs of water?

Oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and glaciers.

How do streams and drainage networks form?

Streams form from surface runoff that combines into sheetwash, eroding substrate and creating channels.

What is stream discharge?

The volume of water flowing past a given point in a river, calculated as width x height x velocity.

What factors affect stream flow?

Weather conditions, gradient of the stream channel, and the physical characteristics of the streambed.

What role do streams play in sediment transport?

Streams transport sediment through erosion and deposition, shaping landforms along their paths.

What are the main types of streams?

Meandering streams, braided streams, and straight streams, each characterized by different flow patterns and sediment transport.

What causes flooding?

Flooding can occur due to heavy rains, rapid snowmelt, dam breaks, or prolonged rainfall that saturates the soil.

What is groundwater?

Water that resides beneath the Earth's surface, filling the spaces in soil and rock.

What is the difference between an aquifer and an aquitard?

An aquifer is a permeable layer that can store and transmit water, while an aquitard is a less permeable layer that restricts water flow.

What is the water table?

The upper surface of groundwater, representing the boundary between saturated and unsaturated ground.

How does groundwater flow?

Groundwater flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, influenced by the permeability of the surrounding materials.

What are the limits of groundwater usage?

Groundwater usage is limited by recharge rates, contamination, and over-extraction which can lead to depletion.

How do cave networks form?

Cave networks form through the dissolution of soluble rocks, such as limestone, by acidic groundwater.

What is a drainage basin?

A drainage basin, or watershed, is an area where all precipitation collects and drains into a specific trunk stream.

What is a dendritic drainage network?

A branching tree-like drainage pattern that forms in areas with homogeneous material, commonly seen in flat-lying sandstones.

What is a radial drainage network?

A drainage pattern that forms on the surface of a cone-shaped mountain, with water flowing outward from the peak.

What is a trellis drainage network?

A drainage pattern characterized by parallel valleys and ridges, where tributaries flow down valleys and join a trunk stream.

What is stream erosion?

The process by which running water removes soil and rock from the streambed and banks, altering the landscape.

What is the significance of the Colorado River in hydrology?

The Colorado River is a major water source that has shaped the landscape and is crucial for water supply in the southwestern United States.

What are the characteristics of meandering streams?

Meandering streams flow in a sinuous pattern, with erosion occurring on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks.

What are braided streams?

Streams characterized by multiple interlaced channels and islands, typically found in areas with high sediment loads.

What are the impacts of floods on communities?

Floods can cause significant damage to property, alter landscapes, and pose risks to human safety and health.

What is surface runoff?

Water that flows over the Earth's surface, resulting from precipitation, melting snow, or groundwater springs.