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ch 10
surface water
21
Science
11th Grade
01/08/2009

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

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Term

abrasion

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Definition
Abrasion is mechanical scraping of a rock surface by friction between rocks and moving particles during their transport in wind, glacier, waves, ...
Term

alluvial fan

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Definition
Alluvial fans are fan-shaped deposits of water-transported material (alluvium). They typically form at the base of topographic features
Term

base level

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Definition
The base level of a river or stream is the lowest point to which it can flow, often referred to as the 'mouth' of the river
Term

bedload

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Definition
The term Bed load describes particles in a flowing fluid (usually a river) that are transported along the bed.
Term

carrying power

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Definition
the amount of sediment a body of water can move
Term

delta

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Definition
A delta is a landform that is created at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, or reservoir or another river
Term

discharge

 

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Definition
In hydrology, the discharge or outflow of a river is the volume of water transported by it in a certain amount of time
Term

divide

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Definition
a ridge of land between two drainage basins
Term

drainage basin

 

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Definition
A drainage basin is an extent of land where water from rain or snow melt drains downhill into a body of water, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary
Term

flash flood

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Definition

A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas - washes, rivers and streams. It is caused by heavy rain associated with a thunderstorm etc

Term

flood plain

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Definition

A floodplain, or flood plain, is flat or nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river that experiences occasional or periodic flooding. It includes the floodway, which consists of the stream channel and adjacent areas that carry flood flows, and the flood fringe, which are areas covered by the flood, but which do not experience a strong current.

Term

gully

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Definition
A gully is a landform created by running water eroding sharply into soil, typically on a hillside. Gullies resemble large ditches or small valleys
Term

headward erosion

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Definition
Headward erosion is a fluvial process of erosion that lengthens a stream, a valley or a gully at its head and also enlarges its drainage
Term

levees

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Definition
A levee, levée, dike (or dyke), embankment, floodbank or stopbank is a natural or artificial slope or wall to prevent flooding of the land behind it.
Term

meander

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Definition
A meander in general is a bend in a sinuous watercourse, also known as an oxbow loop, or simply an oxbow. A meander is formed when the moving water in a river erodes the outer banks and widens its valley creating a meander. A stream of any volume may assume a meandering course
Term

oxbow lake

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Definition
An oxbow lake is a U-shaped lake water body formed when a wide meander from the mainstem of a river is cut off to create a lake
Term

pothole

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Definition
Pothole (or kettle-hole) is also a term for a formation in rivers caused by a whirlpool eroding a hole into rock. The abrasion is mainly caused by the circular motion of small sediments such as small stones in the river. The interiors of potholes tend to be smooth and regular, unlike a plunge pool. An example is the large pothole found in Archbald, Pennsylvania in Archbald Pothole State Park
Term

solution

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Definition
sediment suspended in the water of a downflowing stream, gully or river
Term

stream piracy

 

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Definition
is a geomorphological phenomenon occurring when a stream or river drainage system or watershed is diverted from its own bed, and flows instead down the bed of a neighbouring stream. This can happen for several reasons, including:
  • Tectonic earth movements, where the slope of the land changes, and the stream is tipped out of its former course.
  • Natural damming, such as by a landslide or ice sheet.
  • Erosion, either
    • Headward erosion of one stream valley upwards into another, or
    • Lateral erosion of a meander through the higher ground dividing the adjacent streams.
    • Within an area of karst topography, where streams may sink, or flow underground (a sinking or losing stream) and then reappear in a nearby stream valley.
Term

suspension

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Definition
Mud or muddy water, is where soil, clay, or silt particles are suspended in water
Term

water gap

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Definition
A water gap is an opening or notch which flowing water has carved through a mountain range
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