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147 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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dendritic
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In uniform sediments with a relatively constant slope at the surface, a drainage network is expected. Having a branched form resembling a tree
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Surface Currents
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Predictable ways water moves along the ocean surface; can flow for thousands of kilometers and can reach depths of hundreds of meters; do not depend on weather, they remain unchanged even in large storms because they depend on factors that do not change. (exp Gyre)
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Spring Tides
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More extreme tides, with a greater tidal range; spring tides don't just occur in the spring, they occur whenever the Moon is in a new-moon or full-moon phase about every 14 days
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What is the hypoheic zone? |
is a region beneath and alongside a stream bed, where there is a mix of ground water and spring water |
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The primary stream fed by tributaries within a dendritic drainage network is termed a __________ stream? |
Trunk stream |
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which river has the largest discharge of any in the world?
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The Amazon |
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The discharge of a river traveling through a temperate region will typically _________ downstream |
Increase downstream |
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The discharge of a river traveling through an arid region will typically _________ downstream
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Decrease downstream |
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Define the term competence |
Carrying capacity; the amount of sediment that can be carried in a load (water). |
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A small mountain stream will have a ________ competence and a ________ capacity of the Mississippi River |
higher competence and lower capacity of the Mississippi River |
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Define the term competence
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The maximum size the stream can carry.
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Define the term meander |
The river or stream winds like a snake; winding path |
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Define the term meander
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following of a winding course (definition)
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Define the term point bar
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an alluvial deposit that forms by accretion on the inner side of an expanding loop of a river |
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Define the term ox bow lake |
an isolated water source (lake) created by a meandering system that has been cut off |
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Define the term ox bow lake
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A crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander of a river or stream is cut off from the main channel
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Define the term stream gradient
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the steepness and slope of a stream |
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Define the term base level |
lowest elevation level that a stream can attain |
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Define the term base level
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The lowest level to which a land surface can be reduced by the action of running water
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Define the term thaleg |
the deepest part of the channel where most of the flow occurs |
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Ultimately, the base level of a stream valley can be no lower than ________ or _________? |
sea level or the headwaters of the river it is entering |
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Define the term floodplain |
flat land on either side of a stream that becomes covered during a flood. |
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Define the term thaleg
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the long part of the stream at any on point; momentum of water follows thalegs |
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Define the term oxbow lake
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remnant water left over from meandering |
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Define the term braided stream
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sediment load is high and the channel is low |
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Define the term braided stream
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A trunk system consists of many anastomosing channels. Anastomosing definition: to be connected by anastomosis, as blood vessels. anastomosing creates sand bars and gravel bars
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____________ are often bounded by bluffs on either side |
floodplains |
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Where are meanders found? |
meanders are found near the bottom and flat part of a floodplain plateau |
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Define the term natural levee |
a pair of low ridges that appear on either side of a stream and develop as a result of the accumulation of sediment deposited naturally by flooding |
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Define the term terrace |
an elevated surface of an older floodplain into which a younger floodplain has cut down |
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Define the term cut bank |
the outside of, or arc, of the turn of a river |
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Define the term cut bank
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The outside bank of a bend, often eroding opposite a point bar
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Define the term turbulent flow |
mixes and swirls by irregularities in the bank and the bottom of stream |
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Define the term meander cut off |
a channel cutting across the neck of a meander
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Define the term trellis (drainage pattern) |
trellis drainage is a trunk stream flows through resistant rock, flowing between ridges. |
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Define the term trellis (drainage pattern)
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A drainage network that develops across a landscape of parallel valleys and ridges, major tributaries flow down a valley and join a trunk stream that cuts across a resistant ridge; creating a trellis look
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Define the term rectangular (drainage pattern)
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drainage runs in fractured (vertical joints) and breaks up the ground, channels form along the per-existing fractures, and streams join one another at right angles, creating a rectangular network |
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Define the term radial (drainage pattern)
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a drainage pattern coming down a cone-shaped mountain from all sides, like spokes on a wheel; exp; volcano |
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Define the term point bar
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inside arc of the turn of a meandering stream; inner bank where deposition takes place |
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Define the term permanent streams
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streams that flow all year round and has humid climates, generally with high rainfall and low evaporation |
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Define the term ephemeral streams
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streams that are dry most of the year, usually in dry climates with low rainfall and high evaporation; above the water table |
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Define the term drainage basin |
land areas (high ground) that drain into a trunk stream body of water |
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What is the term drainage basin also referred to
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Watershed |
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Approximately what percentage of the Earth's surface is covered with water |
70.8% of the Earth |
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All else being equal, water will flow faster in a stream that has a ________, which is typically found near the river's ___________ ? |
steep gradient, which is typically found near the river's headwaters |
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What physical property of the underlying rock would lead to the formation of a cliff over which a waterfall may form |
resistant rock (hardness); less erosion takes place |
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A _______ pool is at the bottom of waterfall and gets deeper the longer the waterfall exists |
plunge |
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Does a waterfall get shorter or taller over time |
taller, as it erodes away at the plunge pool below it |
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The shape of a delta is primarily determined by _________ |
whether river currents, wave-driven currents, or tidal currents are locally predominant
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V-Shaped stream valleys result from the down cutting of stream erosion and.....
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mass wasting on the valley sides
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Meandering streams have
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a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy)
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Pirate streams are ....
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those that divert flow from streams they have (through stream erosion) intersected
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Which has greater competence, a small or large stream
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a small mountain stream
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Arroyo (Spanish) refers to....
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an ephemeral stream channel that only has discharge after rainfall or snow melt
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Stream Gradient is ....
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The slope of a stream bed measured at some point along its course is the
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The sediment load of a stream consists of only those grains that are fine enough to stay in suspension (True or False)
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false |
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The distinction between a valley and a canyon is
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the sides of a canyon are steeper than those of a valley
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Define an abandoned meander
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A meander that is cut off to become completely to become completely isolated from the main channel and that dries up
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The shape of a delta is primarily determined by _________
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hfxcd |
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Alluvial fan
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A fan-like deposit of sediment that forms where an intermittent, yet rapidly flowing canyon or mountain stream spills out onto a plain or relatively flat valley
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As the velocity of flow decreases,
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a. flow tends to become more laminar
b. the maximum flow velocity decreases c. suspended sediment starts to be deposited d. all of the above Answer: d |
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Within a meander, where is sediment most likely to be deposited |
on the inner banks of the meander (point bar) |
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The base level of a stream rises when it encounters a lake because ____________.
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contacting the lake causes the flow of a stream to slow down
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The sediment load of a stream consists of only those grains that are fine enough to stay in suspension (True or False)
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false |
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All else being equal, a deep, narrow stream will flow ____________ a shallow, broad stream |
more rapidly than (faster than) |
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The average velocity of a stream is always greatest near its source (True or False)
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False |
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A 100-year flood is more catastrophic than a 50-year flood (True or False)
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True |
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At a waterfall, where two sedimentary lithologies are juxtaposed, which lithology is more likely to form the cliff over which the water falls
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Sandstone |
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The stream gradient of most rivers ____________.
a. is greater near the source (headwaters) than near the mouth b. is greater near the mouth than near the source c. does not change significantly as the river flows downstream d. is greater for a meandering stream |
Answer: a
Is greater near the source than near the mouth (headwaters)
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Braided streams ____________. a. consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment b. have flowing water either episodically or during a portion of the year c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) d. all of the above |
Answer: a Consists of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment |
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Ephemeral streams ____________.
a. consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment b. have flowing water either episodically or during a portion of the year c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) |
Answer: b have flowing water either episodically or during a portion of the year |
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In a region characterized by a parallel series of ridges and valleys, a ____________ drainage network is expected.
a. dendritic b. radial c. rectangular d. trellis |
trellis |
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In a region with prominent orthogonal sets of joints, a ____________ drainage network is expected.
a. dendritic b. radial c. rectangular d. trellis |
rectangular
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The deepest part of the channel, where the stream flows fastest, is the ____________.
a. base level b. floodplain c. stream gradient d. thalweg |
thalweg
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The lowest elevation to which a streams can downcut is the ____________.
a. base level b. floodplain c. stream gradient d. thalweg |
base level
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The primary stream fed by tributaries within a drainage basin is termed a ____________.
a. lead stream b. trunk stream c. taproot stream d. pirate stream |
trunk stream
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All else being equal, water will flow faster in a stream with ____________.
a. well-developed meanders b. a straight channel |
a straight channel
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If a 50-year flood occurs on the Mississippi River in 2010, what is the probability that a flood of at the same magnitude will occur in 2011?
a. zero b. 1% c. 2% d. 50% |
2%
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Define the term bathymetry |
oceans floor variation in depth |
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The deepest part of the channel where the most flow occurs is called __________. |
thaleg |
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Define the term thermohaline circulation |
contrasts in water density, caused by temperature and salinity, can drive upwelling and downwelling (rising and falling [sinking] of water) |
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What is the term used that happens when contrasts in water density, caused by temperature and salinity, can drive upwelling and downwelling (rising and falling [sinking] of water)
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therohaline circulation
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Define the term tide |
a vertical movement of sea level |
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tidal range is defined |
the difference between high and low tides, measured in feet |
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Compared with the continental lithospere, the oceanic lithosphere is ___________ |
thinner (mid oceanic ridge) (rift) |
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What is the density of oceanic crust compared to continental crust?
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The density of the continental crust is much less as compared to the oceanic crust
continental crust = 2.6 g/cm3 oceanic crust = 3.0 g/cm3
The continental crust has a lower density The oceanic crust has a higher density than the continental crust
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Tell me about density and how it affects our rocks on Earth? Compare density to location of the rocks in Earth's layers
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Density is basically how heavy something is. Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust, which is more dense therefore continental crust "floats" over oceanic crust. Also more heavier/dense the elements are the more towards the core of Earth they will be located. The less dense an element is the more towards the surface you will find it.
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How old do they estimate our continental crust to be?
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3.4 billion years
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What color were Earth's early oceans? Why?
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Green due to lots of iron
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What is the deepest trench on Earth?
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Marianas Trench
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Define the term continental shelf |
A broad and shallow, submerged fringe of a continent, generally not more than 0-500m in depth and usually occur over passive margins with .3 deg fall (slope) |
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Define the term continental slope
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The slope at the edge of a continental shelf, 500m - 4km deep, 2 deg fall (slope)
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Define the term continental rise
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The sloping sea floor that extends for the lower part of the continental slope to the abyssal plain. 4km - 4.5km with 2 deg fall (slope) |
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Define the term abyssal plain
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A broad, relatively flat region of the ocean that lies at least 4.5km or beyond (deeper) below sea level. Flat except near plate structures (mid oceanic ridge, seamounts)
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What geomorphic location are the deepest segments of the ocean floor |
in trenches, associated with subduction zones |
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What is the sea surface temperature in the equatorial regions? What is the range of temperature at a depth of 4.5km and greater? |
below 4.5km, water temperature is 4 deg Celsius (39 deg F) |
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The density of seawater increases with __________ temperature and _________ salinity. (use increasing or decreasing) |
seawater increases with DECREASED temp and INCREASE in salinity |
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In what direction does major ocean currents travel |
circular patterns |
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Why is the surface salinity in the tropics so much higher that that of the equator or polar regions? |
Surface salinity is more prevalent in the tropics because there is more evaporation in the tropics vs. equator or polar regions, thus leaving more salt behind |
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A bird's foot delta is formed when the _______ |
sediment is dropped faster than the long-shore current can remove it. |
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High tide will be ________ during a full moon than normally a. lower b. higher |
higher |
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Why is a spring tide so much higher than a normal high tide?
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A spring tide occurs when the sun and moon line up with the earth (either a full or new moon). The gravitational pull of the sun augments the pull of the moon, resulting in a higher tide |
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A wave will disturb the water to a depth equal to ______________ ? |
half (1/2) its height |
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Long-shore currents flow __________ the shoreline |
parallel |
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If a beach is in a east-west orientation and the waves are approaching the shore from a southeasterly direction, in which direction will the long-shore drift be? |
west to east? parallel with shoreline Check this one |
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Bioturbation is the ________________ |
the disturbance of sedimentary deposits by living organisms |
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What term is used to describe the disturbance of sedimentary deposits by living organisms
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Bioturbation
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Define the term estuary |
is a former valley flooded by marine water |
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Define the term lagoon
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A body of shallow seawater separated from the open ocean by a barrier island |
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What term is used to describe a body of shallow seawater separated from the open ocean by a barrier island
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lagoon
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What term is used to describe a former valley flooded by marine water
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estuary
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What is an emergent coastline |
raised beach where tectonic uprising has occurred |
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What term is used to describea raised beach where tectonic uprising has occurred
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emergent coastline
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What is an submergent coastline
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A coast at which the land is sinking relative to sea level |
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What term is used to describe a coast at which the land is sinking relative to sea level
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submergent
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What are the different methods employed to protect beaches from erosion |
groins jetty's breakwaters concrete seawalls |
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What is groundwater |
the liquid water that resides in sediment or rock under the surface |
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Define the term porosity |
Absorbs water: the total volume of empty space (pore space) in a material, usually expressed in percentage (%) |
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Define the term permeability
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the ease of which (degree) fluids (water) can pass through it via an interconnected network of pores or cracks |
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When does primary porosity develop
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immediately after sediment accumulates or rocks form
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When or why does secondary porosity develop |
after primary porosity, through fracturing, faulting or dissolution |
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What factors determine the permeability of a material |
number of available conduits size of conduits straightness of conduits |
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How thick are sediments on the continental shelves |
15-20km thick |
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What is generally 15-20km thick on the continental shelves |
sediments |
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_________ resides in subsurface, open, spaces |
porosity
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Define the term aquifer
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sediment or rock that holds a lot of water and transmits water easily |
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Define the term aquatard
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sediment or rocks that have low permeability and restricts, or eliminates, the flow of water; retards the motion of the water |
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Define the term confined aquifer
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is separated (isolated) from the Earth's surface by an overlying aquatard, thus water cannot infiltrate into it and is less susceptible to contamination |
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Define the term unconfined aquifer
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intersects (infiltrates) the surface of the Earth and is easily contaminated |
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A term used to describe an aquifer containing water that is not under pressure; the water level in a well is the same as the water table outside the well
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unconfined aquifer
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A term used to describe a aquifer separated (isolated) from the Earth's surface by an overlying aquatard, thus water cannot infiltrate into it; less susceptible to contamination
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confined aquifer
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In uniform sediments with a relatively constant slope at the surface
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dendritic |
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What is the saturated or phreatic zone |
part of the subsurface in which water only partially fills pores and there is no air in the water |
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A term used to describe part of the subsurface in which water only partially fills pores and there is no air in the water
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phreatic zone
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What is the water table |
water table is the upper limit of the zone of saturation and is a very significant feature of the groundwater system; it is important in predicting the productivity of wells, explaining the changes in the flow of springs and streams, and accounting for fluctuations in the levels of lakes
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What is the water table
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is the subsurface boundary parallel to the surface that separates substrate in which groundwater fills the pores from substrate in which air fills the pores |
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What is a perched water table |
lens-shaped layer of impermeable rock (shale) above a water table level mound of groundwater that becomes trapped above a localized aquitard |
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What is a recharge area |
where water enters the ground and goes downward |
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A term used where water enters the ground and goes downward
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recharge area
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what is a discharge area |
a location where ground water flows back up to the surface (Artesian well) |
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What is the time scale for local flow |
short term; water will remain underground from hours to weeks |
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What is the time scale for regional flow
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water will remain underground from centuries to millennia (deep) |
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What does the velocity of the groundwater depend on |
depends on the slope of the water table and on the permeability of the material through which the groundwater is flowing |
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____________ surface water marks the table, for example, streams, ponds, lakes and wetlands |
perennial |
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What is pelagic sediment |
a sediment that consists mostly of microscopic plankton shells and fine flakes of clay |
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What is a thermocline |
a transition area between warm water and cold water, usually 300m in the tropics. A pronounced area does not develop in the polar seas since the surface waters are already so cold |
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The term used to describe the loop of surface currents |
gyre |
