River Erosion Flashcards

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What is lateral erosion?
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Lateral erosion erodes the banks of the river. This is more common in the middle and lower courses of a river.

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What is lateral erosion?
What is vertical erosion?
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Vertical erosion involves the wearing away and deepening of the river bed. This is mostly by hydraulic action. It is most common in the upper course of the river.

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What is vertical erosion?
What happens to the shape and size of bed load as you move down the river?
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It becomes more rounded and smaller.

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What happens to the shape and size of bed load as you move down the river?
What is the main process of erosion in the upper course of a river?
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Hydraulic action

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What is the main process of erosion in the upper course of a river?
What is abrasion?
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Abrasion, also known as corrasion, is when boulders and stones wear away the river banks and bed. Angular rocks that have entered the channel recently are useful tools of abrasion because they are more angular. Abrasion is responsible for both lateral and vertical erosion of the river channel. 

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What is abrasion?




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