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What is the process of sediment transportation in a river where materials bounce on the surface or floor of the river?
What is the process of sediment transportation in a river where materials bounce on the surface or floor of the river?
Saltation
What is the term for the dragging and rolling of the river load along the river bed?
What is the term for the dragging and rolling of the river load along the river bed?
Traction
What is the shape of an oxbow lake?
What is the shape of an oxbow lake?
Horse-shoe shape
What is the characteristic of the bank of an oxbow lake?
What is the characteristic of the bank of an oxbow lake?
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What is the condition necessary for the formation of a delta?
What is the condition necessary for the formation of a delta?
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What is the characteristic of a bird foot delta?
What is the characteristic of a bird foot delta?
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What type of delta is formed when there is partial submergence in coastal waters?
What type of delta is formed when there is partial submergence in coastal waters?
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What is the term for the expansion of a river flood plain into the sea?
What is the term for the expansion of a river flood plain into the sea?
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What type of landform is formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans at the foot of a linear mountain range?
What type of landform is formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans at the foot of a linear mountain range?
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What is the term for a temporary inland drainage basin with a shallow lake of fluctuating volume encircled by a mud sheet?
What is the term for a temporary inland drainage basin with a shallow lake of fluctuating volume encircled by a mud sheet?
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What is the characteristic of the slope of a Bajada?
What is the characteristic of the slope of a Bajada?
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What type of landform is formed by river deposition in desert areas?
What type of landform is formed by river deposition in desert areas?
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What is the term for a dry lake bed that is sometimes filled with water?
What is the term for a dry lake bed that is sometimes filled with water?
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What is the characteristic of the surface of a Bajada?
What is the characteristic of the surface of a Bajada?
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What type of landform is often found at the bottom of a basin or depression?
What type of landform is often found at the bottom of a basin or depression?
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What type of feature is formed by the coalescing of alluvial fans?
What type of feature is formed by the coalescing of alluvial fans?
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What is the primary agent of erosion in a river?
What is the primary agent of erosion in a river?
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What process of river transportation involves the carriage of larger particles suspended in the water as it flows?
What process of river transportation involves the carriage of larger particles suspended in the water as it flows?
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What is the process of erosion where water enters into cracks and cavities, causing them to enlarge?
What is the process of erosion where water enters into cracks and cavities, causing them to enlarge?
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What is the term for the formation of a fan-shaped alluvial plain as a result of deposition by a river?
What is the term for the formation of a fan-shaped alluvial plain as a result of deposition by a river?
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What is the term for the wearing down of the loads as they collide with the valley and one another?
What is the term for the wearing down of the loads as they collide with the valley and one another?
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What type of delta consists of both coarse and fine sediments and has an inverted cone shape?
What type of delta consists of both coarse and fine sediments and has an inverted cone shape?
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What is the process of river transportation where materials dissolve in water and are carried to the lower course?
What is the process of river transportation where materials dissolve in water and are carried to the lower course?
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What is the term for the bouncing of materials either on the surface or at the floor of the river?
What is the term for the bouncing of materials either on the surface or at the floor of the river?
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What is the process of erosion that occurs on the concave side of a meander in a river?
What is the process of erosion that occurs on the concave side of a meander in a river?
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What is the term for the dragging and rolling of the river load along the river bed?
What is the term for the dragging and rolling of the river load along the river bed?
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What is the feature of the lower course of a river where erosion occurs on the concave side and deposition on the convex bank?
What is the feature of the lower course of a river where erosion occurs on the concave side and deposition on the convex bank?
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What is the characteristic of a river delta that occurs in swampy areas?
What is the characteristic of a river delta that occurs in swampy areas?
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What is the characteristic of an oxbow lake in terms of its bank shape?
What is the characteristic of an oxbow lake in terms of its bank shape?
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What is the condition necessary for the formation of a delta, in terms of ocean currents?
What is the condition necessary for the formation of a delta, in terms of ocean currents?
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What is the alternative name for an oxbow lake?
What is the alternative name for an oxbow lake?
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What is the term for the bouncing of materials either on the surface or at the floor of the river?
What is the term for the bouncing of materials either on the surface or at the floor of the river?
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What is the process that occurs when a river's speed and energy reduce, allowing deposition to take place?
What is the process that occurs when a river's speed and energy reduce, allowing deposition to take place?
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What is the characteristic slope of a Bajada?
What is the characteristic slope of a Bajada?
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What is the term for a temporary inland drainage basin with a shallow lake of fluctuating volume?
What is the term for a temporary inland drainage basin with a shallow lake of fluctuating volume?
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What is the result of river deposition in a linear mountain range?
What is the result of river deposition in a linear mountain range?
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What is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of a Bajada?
What is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of a Bajada?
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In which type of environment are Playas or Salinas typically found?
In which type of environment are Playas or Salinas typically found?
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What is the characteristic shape of a Bajada?
What is the characteristic shape of a Bajada?
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What is the process by which rivers pick up sediments and other materials as they flow over a linear mountain range?
What is the process by which rivers pick up sediments and other materials as they flow over a linear mountain range?
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What is the main cause of aridity in desert areas?
What is the main cause of aridity in desert areas?
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What type of desert plants have longest roots?
What type of desert plants have longest roots?
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How are sand bars typically formed?
How are sand bars typically formed?
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What is a characteristic of desert landscapes?
What is a characteristic of desert landscapes?
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What type of desert is characterized by a surface covered with gravels, stones, and pebbles?
What type of desert is characterized by a surface covered with gravels, stones, and pebbles?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deserts?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deserts?
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What is the term for a desert that is formed by erosional process of deflation and abrasion?
What is the term for a desert that is formed by erosional process of deflation and abrasion?
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Which desert is considered the driest in the world?
Which desert is considered the driest in the world?
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What is the main characteristic of a desert?
What is the main characteristic of a desert?
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What type of plants are found in deserts that have no leaves?
What type of plants are found in deserts that have no leaves?
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What is the process that forms a sand bar?
What is the process that forms a sand bar?
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What is the characteristic of the Sahara Desert?
What is the characteristic of the Sahara Desert?
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What is the term for a place having little or no rainfall?
What is the term for a place having little or no rainfall?
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What is the characteristic of the Atacama Desert?
What is the characteristic of the Atacama Desert?
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What is the name of the desert plants with the longest roots?
What is the name of the desert plants with the longest roots?
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What is the unique feature of Antarctica?
What is the unique feature of Antarctica?
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What is the primary factor that contributes to aridity in desert areas?
What is the primary factor that contributes to aridity in desert areas?
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What is the term for desert plants with longest roots?
What is the term for desert plants with longest roots?
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How are sand bars formed?
How are sand bars formed?
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What is a characteristic of deserts?
What is a characteristic of deserts?
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What type of desert landscape is characterized by an undulating plain of sand and sand dunes?
What type of desert landscape is characterized by an undulating plain of sand and sand dunes?
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What is the term for the desert that is the driest or rainless in the world?
What is the term for the desert that is the driest or rainless in the world?
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Which of the following deserts is NOT a hot desert?
Which of the following deserts is NOT a hot desert?
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What is the primary cause of aridity in desert areas?
What is the primary cause of aridity in desert areas?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of Stony or Reg deserts?
Which of the following is a characteristic of Stony or Reg deserts?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of desert landscapes?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of desert landscapes?
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What type of desert landscape is formed by wind deposition?
What type of desert landscape is formed by wind deposition?
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Which of the following is a function of wind in desert areas?
Which of the following is a function of wind in desert areas?
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What is the process of wind erosion that involves the lifting and blowing away of loose sand and pebbles?
What is the process of wind erosion that involves the lifting and blowing away of loose sand and pebbles?
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What type of desert landscape is formed by the erosional process of deflation and abrasion?
What type of desert landscape is formed by the erosional process of deflation and abrasion?
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Which of the following is an example of a Badland or Mountain Desert?
Which of the following is an example of a Badland or Mountain Desert?
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What is the term for a desert surface covered with gravels, stones, boulders, and pebbles?
What is the term for a desert surface covered with gravels, stones, boulders, and pebbles?
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What is the main cause of aridity in desert areas?
What is the main cause of aridity in desert areas?
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Which type of desert plants have the longest roots?
Which type of desert plants have the longest roots?
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How are sand bars typically formed?
How are sand bars typically formed?
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What is a characteristic of desert landscapes?
What is a characteristic of desert landscapes?
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What type of desert is characterized by a surface covered with gravels, stones, and pebbles?
What type of desert is characterized by a surface covered with gravels, stones, and pebbles?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deserts?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deserts?
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What is the term for a desert that is formed by erosional processes of deflation and abrasion?
What is the term for a desert that is formed by erosional processes of deflation and abrasion?
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Which type of landform is formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans?
Which type of landform is formed by the coalescing of several alluvial fans?
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Study Notes
Factors Affecting the Velocity of a River
- The volume of water released affects the velocity of a river
- The slope of the river valley affects the velocity of a river
- The shape of the river valley affects the velocity of a river
- The amount and size of materials affect the velocity of a river
River Erosion
- The load or materials carried by a river are the main agents of erosion
- There are four processes of erosion:
- Hydraulic action: water enters into cracks and cavities, causing them to enlarge
- Corrasion: wearing of the sides and floor of the river valley by sand, pebbles, silts, and boulders
- Attrition: wearing down of the loads as they collide with the valley and one another
- Solution: chemical action of water on materials
Processes of River Transportation
- There are four processes of river transportation:
- Solution: materials dissolve in water and are carried to the lower course
- Suspension: carriage of larger particles suspended in the water as it flows
- Saltation: bouncing of materials either on the surface or at the floor of the river
- Traction: dragging and rolling of the river load along the river bed
Ox-Bow Lake
- Formed in the lower course of a river where there are pronounced meanders
- Formed through erosion on the concave side and deposition on the convex bank
- Characteristics:
- Feature of the lower course of a river
- Occurs in marshy areas
- Has a horse-shoe shape
- Has a shallow convex bank
- Has a deep concave bank
- Also called Bayous/Cut-offs
Delta
- A fan-shaped alluvial plain formed as a result of deposition by a river
- Mode of formation:
- Deposition of sediments
- Absence of strong ocean current
- Presence of sediments at the estuary
- Favourable conditions for formation:
- Active vertical and lateral erosion
- Tideless coast or sheltered coast
- Shallow sea adjoining the delta
- No large lakes in the river course
- No strong current at right angle to the river
- Characteristics:
- Found at the lower course
- Occurs in swampy areas
- Has seaward expansion of river flood plain
- Composed of alluvium
- Has distributaries
- Has many shapes
- Types of delta:
- Arcuate delta
- Bird foot delta
- Estuarine delta
Bajada
- A broad, gentle, sloping sediment bordering the foot of a mountain range
- Formed by river deposition in desert areas
- Characteristics:
- Found in desert areas
- Features of river deposition
- Fairly gentle undulating slope
- Smooth surfaces
- The slope is less than 70
Playa or Salina
- A temporary inland drainage basin with a shallow lake of fluctuating volume encircled by a mud sheet
- A temporary salt lake found in arid and semi-arid areas
- Characteristics:
- Found in desert areas
- Features of desert river deposition
- Contain temporary salt lake
- Usually found at the bottom of the basin or depression
- Examples: Playas in Algeria and Salinas of Lake Magadi of Kenya
Desert Landforms
- A desert is a barren land that receives little precipitation with poor living conditions to support plant and animal lives.
- Most desert or arid areas in the world lie between 150 and 300 north and south of the equator.
- The world's largest cold desert is Antarctica, and the world's largest hot desert is Sahara.
- The driest or rainless desert in the world is Atacama.
- The only continent with no desert is Europe.
Causes of Aridity
- Factors that influence aridity in desert areas include:
- Interior location or continentality
- Cold ocean current
- Rain shadow effects or leeward location
Characteristics of Deserts
- Low precipitation or rainfall
- High temperature
- Absence of vegetation cover
- High rate of evaporation
- High rate of physical or mechanical weathering
- Wind action is dominant
- Presence of cold current
- Internal drainage
- Presence of landforms
Types of Desert Landscapes
-
- Sandy or Erg: an undulating plain of desert with large amounts of sand and sand dunes, produced by wind deposition. Example: Coastal sandy desert of Western Sahara.
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- Stony or Reg: a desert surface covered with gravels, stones, boulders, and pebbles, produced by daily temperature change or exfoliation process of weathering. Example: Kalahari desert in Africa and Hamada el Homra in Libya.
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- Rocky or Hamada: a desert surface covered with large stretches of bare rocks, produced by erosional process of deflation and abrasion.
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- Badland or Mountain Desert: a desert landscape developed in arid regions of sudden rainstorm. Examples: Ahaggar in Algeria and Badlands in Dakota (USA).
Functions of Wind in Desert Areas
- Wind performs three functions in desert areas: erosion, transportation, and deposition.
Actions or Processes of Wind Erosion in Desert Areas
- Deflation: the lifting and blowing away of loose sand and pebbles by wind.
- Other processes include cliffs, coastal cave, arch, stack, stump, geo, and gloup formation.
Features of Coastal Deposition
- Beaches: made up of sand and gravels, formed when sand and gravels are loosened from the land. They are depositional features.
- Sand Spits: ridges of sand and gravels formed by long shore drift across inlet.
- Marine Dunes or Dune Belts: the movement of large amounts of coastal sand by onshore winds with large force.
- Sand Bar: formed by wave deposition in shallow sandy waters, a built-up of sand which is at times covered by water at high tide and exposed at low tide.
Desert Landforms
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- Inselbergs or Bornhardts: isolated residual hills with rounded tops and steep sides rising abruptly from the surrounding plains in desert regions, formed from semi-arid and arid regions by the action of running water or wind erosion.
- Characteristics of Inselbergs:
- Found in semi-arid and arid areas
- Features of rainfall and running water
- Height may rise up to about 300 meters high
- Most inselbergs are made up of granite gneiss
- Examples: Shai and Krobo Hills in Ghana and Brangberh Hills in Namib Desert
Mesas and Buttes
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- Mesas or Buttes: flat table-like and steep-sided landmass with resistant horizontal top layer underlain by layers of soft rocks, formed by the actions of extreme temperature, running water, rainfall, and wind erosion on alternate bands of hard and soft rocks.
- Characteristics of Mesas and Buttes:
- Found in semi-arid and arid areas
- Products of running water, rainfall, or wind action
- Flat-like land masses
- Isolated flat-topped hills
- Examples are found in Sahara and Kalahari Deserts.
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Description
Quiz on the factors that affect the velocity of a river and the processes of river erosion including hydraulic action and corrosion.