Water Erosion

Front

Water Erosion Noun

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[waw-ter ee-roh-zhun]

Back

Water Erosion

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The process where moving water transports soil and rock particles from one location on Earth's surface to another.

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Example: A river erodes the land, carrying soil and rocks downstream.

Front

Runoff Noun

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[run-off]

Back

Runoff

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Water from rain or snowmelt that flows over the land's surface instead of soaking into the ground.

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Example: Water from rain flows over a hillside, demonstrating runoff.

Front

Sheet Erosion Noun

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[sheet ee-roh-zhun]

Back

Sheet Erosion

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A type of erosion where runoff removes thin, uniform layers of soil from the surface of the land.

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Example: Raindrops hitting exposed soil cause small particles to detach, illustrating sheet erosion.

Front

Sediment Noun

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[sed-uh-muhnt]

Back

Sediment

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Small, solid particles of rock, soil, and organic matter that are moved and deposited by water or wind.

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Example: Layers of sediment formed by water depositing particles over time.

Front

Rill Noun

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[ril]

Back

Rill

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A very small, shallow channel or groove in the soil that is formed by the erosive action of runoff.

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Example: Rills are small channels formed by water erosion on soil surfaces.

Front

Gully Noun

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[guhl-ee]

Back

Gully

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A large channel or groove in the soil, larger than a rill, that carries runoff after a rainstorm.

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Example: The image shows a large channel in the soil, illustrating how a gully forms from water erosion.

Front

Stream Noun

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[streem]

Back

Stream

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A body of water with a current, confined within a bed and banks, that flows continually down a slope.

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Example: A stream flows down a slope, showing how water moves and shapes the land.

Front

Tributary Noun

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[trib-yoo-ter-ee]

Back

Tributary

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A smaller stream or river that flows into a larger main river, adding water to the main channel.

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Example: A tributary is shown flowing into a larger river, demonstrating how it adds water to the main channel.

Front

Drainage Basin Noun

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[dray-nij bey-sin]

Back

Drainage Basin

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The entire land area from which a river and its tributaries collect all their water; also called a watershed.

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Example: The image shows a drainage basin, where water from the land collects into a river and its tributaries.

Front

Gorge Noun

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[gorj]

Back

Gorge

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A narrow, deep valley with steep, rocky sides, typically formed by a fast-flowing river eroding the landscape over time.

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Example: A gorge is shown as a deep valley formed by a river eroding softer rock, with labels explaining the process.