click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Sci8-Unit2-Erosion
Sci-8-Unit2-Part A - Erosion
Term | Definition |
---|---|
erosion | the process by which sediment and other materials are moved from one place to another |
deposition | the process by which eroded material is dropped |
gradient | the measure of the change in elevation over a certain distance. |
load | materials carried by a stream |
discharge | the amount of water carried by a stream in a given amount of time |
channel | the path of a stream |
floodplain | the flat area surrounding a stream or river where nutrient-rich sediments are deposited during a flood |
delta | wetlands that form as rivers empty their water and sediment into another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. |
alluvial fan | a fan-shaped deposit of sediments on dry land, typically at the end of a river running between two steep mountains |
groundwater | water located in rocks below ground |
headlands | finger-shaped projections that form when softer rock around it erodes more quickly |
sandbar | an underwater or exposed ridge of sand, gravel, or shell material |
barrier island | a long narrow island, usually made of sand, that forms parallel to the shoreline a short distance into the water |
abrasion | the grinding and wearing down of rock surfaces by other rock or sand particles |
deflation | the removal of fine sediment by wind |
dunes | mounds of wind-deposited sand |
loess | thick deposits of windblown, fine-grained sediments |
glacier | a large mass of moving ice that forms by compacting of snow by natural forces |
glacial drift | a general term that refers to all materials carried and deposited by glaciers |
creep | extremely slow movement of material down a slope |
landslide | the sudden, rapid movement of a large amount of material down a slope |
mudflow | rapid movement of a large amount of mud down a slope |