51 Questions
What is the primary function of drainage basins in South Africa?
To collect and drain off precipitation
What is another term for drainage basins?
Catchment areas
In a drainage basin, what does a tributary refer to?
A smaller stream that feeds into a larger river
What is the term used for the point where two or more streams meet within a drainage basin?
Confluence
What is the role of a watershed in relation to drainage basins?
It separates adjacent drainage basins
What defines a river system within a drainage basin?
The network of rivers and streams in the basin
Which term refers to the geographic area where all precipitation flows to a single stream?
Drainage basin
What is the term for a higher land area between two rivers in the same drainage basin?
Interfluve
Which type of river originates from humid areas but flows through arid regions?
Exotic Rivers
What does the term 'water table' refer to?
Upper surface of the zone of saturation
Which drainage pattern is characterized by right-angle turns, often due to jointed rock?
Rectangular
What determines the hierarchy of streams from the smallest tributaries to the largest rivers?
Stream Order
In which type of flow do eddies and swirls occur, typical in fast-moving or obstructed streams?
Turbulent Flow
Which river management strategy is important for sustaining South Africa's drainage basins?
(Pollution Prevention)
(Stream order) refers to what aspect of rivers?
(Hierarchy based on size and tributaries)
What is the main purpose of a drainage basin in hydrology?
Collecting and draining off precipitation into a common outlet
Which term is synonymous with 'catchment area' in the context of drainage basins?
Drainage basin
What geographical feature separates adjacent drainage basins?
Watershed
In a river system within a drainage basin, what does a tributary do?
Feed into a larger stream or river
What does 'confluence' refer to in the context of drainage basins?
The point where two or more streams meet
Which factor contributes to the unique characteristics of South Africa's drainage basins?
Climate and topography
What distinguishes a river system from a drainage basin?
Network of rivers and streams within the basin
In hydrology, what defines the boundary separating adjacent drainage basins?
Watershed
What type of river flows only briefly following significant rainfall events?
Episodic River
What type of flow is characterized by chaotic flow with eddies and swirls, common in fast-moving or obstructed streams?
Turbulent Flow
Which drainage pattern resembles tree branches and is common in uniform soil and rock conditions?
Dendritic
In South Africa, which type of river originates from humid areas but flows through arid regions?
Exotic River
What term refers to the upper surface of the zone of saturation where the soil or rocks are fully saturated with water?
Water Table
What factor significantly affects drainage density and stream order in a region?
Precipitation
Which river management strategy is crucial for preventing pollution and restoring degraded catchment areas?
Effective management and conservation strategies
What type of river flows continuously throughout the year?
Permanent River
Which drainage pattern features right-angled tributaries, typical in folded mountain ranges?
Trellis
What is the term for the smooth, layered flow of water in a river?
Laminar Flow
Which type of river in South Africa flows during certain seasons, typically in response to rainfall?
Periodic Rivers
What type of flow in a river system is smooth, layered, and well-ordered?
Laminar Flow
What type of river originates from humid areas but flows through arid regions in South Africa?
Exotic Rivers
Which drainage pattern features streams that radiate outward from a central point, such as a volcanic hill?
Radial
What factor significantly influences drainage density and stream order in a region?
Topography
Which type of river management strategy is essential for the sustainable management of South Africa's drainage basins?
Pollution Prevention
In which drainage pattern are streams parallel to each other and usually found on steep slopes?
Parallel
Where does groundwater primarily exist within the Earth's layers?
In underground soil and rock layers
'Trellis' drainage patterns are typically found in which geographical feature?
Folded mountain ranges
What term is used to describe water flowing over the land's surface from rain, snowmelt, or other sources?
Surface Run-off
What feature distinguishes a watershed from other geographical elements within a drainage basin?
It is the boundary separating adjacent drainage basins.
What term is used to describe a smaller stream that feeds into a larger stream or river within a drainage basin?
Tributary
Which concept refers to the point where two or more streams meet within a drainage basin?
Confluence
What role does a river system play within a drainage basin?
It refers to the network of rivers and streams within a drainage basin.
What term describes the boundary that separates adjacent drainage basins in hydrology?
Watershed
Which element of a drainage basin refers to the area where water is collected by the natural landscape?
Catchment Area
In hydrology, what do tributaries contribute to within a river system?
They feed into larger streams or rivers.
What is the primary function of a confluence within a river system?
To mark the point where two or more streams meet.
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