The Hydrological Cycle

What percent of the worlds water is fresh?

4.04%

where is the most fresh water located?

Glaciers and Polar Ice

hydrological cycle

continuous movement of water from one resevoir to another

list the four stream patterns:

Dendritic, Trellis, Rectangular, Radial

Where do Radial stream patterns form?

Around isolated volcanic domes or cones

where do dendritic stream patterns form?

on relatively uniform surface material

where do rectangular stream patterns form?

Areas with little topography and highly jointed bedrock

where do trellis stream patterns form?

areas with alternating weak and resistant bedrock. (folded sedimentary)

drainage basin

an area where all water in an area flows to the lowest point

What is the river with the highest flow rate?

The Amazon

laminar flow

flow runs straight

What causes potholes?

the rotational motion of stones/abrasive materials moved by water currents

braided streams

many channels separated by constantly shifting gravel bars

where is most liquid freshwater stored?

in groundwater

porosity

the percent void space in the material

permeability

the ability of a material to transmit a fluid

aquifer

a geologic unit capable of storing and transmitting water in sufficient quantities to supply wells

what factors impact porosity?

% cement, sorting, fracturing

what factors affect permeability?

molecule size power or overlapping areas of surface tension

what does heavily pumping a well cause?

a cone of depression in the water table

artesian wells

groundwater under pressure, forced above ground

confined aquifer

water is trapped by an impermeable surface

pressure surface

the height to which water will rise in a confined aquifer

unconfined aquifer

an aquifer open to exchange with the area above

how does water in an unconfined aquafer vary?

with the seasons

Is groundwater static?

no it diffuses from areas of high availability to low availability

Recharge area

where a confined aquifer is recharged by infiltration

aquiclude

the material containing a confined aquifer