Fluvial Processes and River Courses

Flashcards about fluvial processes and river courses

What is erosion in the context of fluvial processes?

The wearing away and movement of materials.

What is abrasion (corrasion)?

When materials carried by the river scrape away at the banks and bed.

What is hydraulic action?

When the force of the water removes materials from the banks and bed of the river.

What is attrition?

When materials being carried by the river hit each other, becoming rounder and smoother.

What is corrosion (solution)?

When some rocks are dissolved by the slightly acidic water.

What does vertical erosion do and where is it dominant?

Increases the depth of the river as it erodes downwards; dominant in the upper course.

What does lateral erosion do and where is it dominant?

Increases the width of the river as it erodes sideways; dominant in the middle and lower course.

What is traction in river transportation?

When larger rocks and materials are rolled along the riverbed.

What is saltation in river transportation?

When smaller materials are lifted by the water and bounce along the riverbed.

What is suspension in river transportation?

When lighter material is carried within the river flow.

What is solution in river transportation?

When materials are dissolved in the water.

What is deposition in the context of rivers?

When sediment is dropped by a river because it has lost the energy required to transport it.

What characterizes the upper course of a river?

The river starts as many tributaries, which are narrow and V-shaped; erosion is the predominant river process.

What characterizes the middle course of a river?

Tributaries merge to form a channel which is rounder and deeper; a mixture of erosional and depositional landforms is present.

What characterizes the lower course of a river?

The river carries the largest volume of water in a very wide and deep channel; deposition is the predominant river process.