Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Weathering, mass wasting, and erosion are all called external processes because they occur at or near Earths surface Internal processes, such as mountain building and volcanic activity, derive their energy from Earths interior
movement of rock and soil due to gravity Controls and triggers of mass wasting
Removal of vegetation
Root systems bind soil and regolith together Earthquakes and aftershocks can dislodge large volumes of rock and unconsolidated material
Earthquakes
Water Cycle
The water cycle is a summary of the circulation of Earths water supply Processes in the water cycle
Precipitation Evaporation Infiltration Runoff Transpiration
Figure 3.5
Figure 3.4
Running Water
Streamflow
The ability of a stream to erode and transport materials is determined by velocity Factors that determine velocity
Gradient, or slope
Channel characteristics including shape, size, and roughness
Running Water
Streamflow
DischargeThe volume of water moving past a given point in a certain amount of time
Running Water
Profile
Profile is a smooth curve Gradient decreases downstream Velocity Discharge Channel size
Figure 3.9
Base Level
Base Level
Raising base level causes deposition Lowering base level causes erosion
Figure 3.16
Stream erosion
Abrasion Dissolution
Competence
Indicates the maximum particle size a stream can transport Determined by the streams velocity
Competence is reduced Sediment begins to drop out Generally well sorted Stream sediments are known as
Stream sediments
alluvium
Figure 3.22
Floodplain deposits
Back swamps
Yazoo tributaries
Stream Valleys
The most common landforms on Earths surface Two general types of stream valleys
Narrow valleys
V-shaped
Downcutting toward base level Features often include rapids and waterfalls
Stream Valleys
Wide valleys
Stream is near base level Downward erosion is less dominant Stream energy is directed from side to side forming a floodplain
Stream Valleys
Floodplains
Meanders
Cut banks and point bars Cutoffs and oxbow lakes
Figure 3.11
Result from naturally occurring and human-induced factors Causes include heavy rains, rapid snow melt, dam failure, topography, and surface conditions
Flood control
Channelization
Drainage networks
Land area that contributes water to the stream is the drainage basin Imaginary line separating one basin from another is called a divide
Figure 3.6
Drainage pattern
Pattern of the interconnected network of streams in an area Common drainage patterns
Drainage Patterns
Figure 3.23
Figure 3.28
Geysers
Intermittent hot springs Water turns to steam and erupts
Figure 3.32
Figure 3.33
Caverns
Formed by dissolving rock beneath Earth's surface Formed in the zone of saturation
End of Chapter 3