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River Formation

A river forms as smaller tributaries converge into larger channels, carrying surface runoff from headwaters downstream. Rivers erode, transport, and deposit sediment as they flow through landscapes. Erosion occurs as rivers carry sediment of various sizes - larger rocks are dragged along the river bed through traction while smaller particles hop through saltation. Finer sediments remain in suspension or are dissolved. Transportation ceases as the river's volume or speed decreases, causing deposition of sediment. A river's energy and ability to do work is determined by its volume and flow speed, which depends on factors like gradient, seasonality, and geology.

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SN2-0620 Theeban Rau A/L Chanthiran
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389 views

River Formation

A river forms as smaller tributaries converge into larger channels, carrying surface runoff from headwaters downstream. Rivers erode, transport, and deposit sediment as they flow through landscapes. Erosion occurs as rivers carry sediment of various sizes - larger rocks are dragged along the river bed through traction while smaller particles hop through saltation. Finer sediments remain in suspension or are dissolved. Transportation ceases as the river's volume or speed decreases, causing deposition of sediment. A river's energy and ability to do work is determined by its volume and flow speed, which depends on factors like gradient, seasonality, and geology.

Uploaded by

SN2-0620 Theeban Rau A/L Chanthiran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RIVER FORMATION

A river is a natural stream of freshwater with


significant volume when compared to the volume of
its smaller tributaries. Conveying surface water run-
off on land, rivers are normally the main channels or
largest tributaries of drainage systems. Typical rivers
begin with a flow from headwater areas made up of
small tributaries, such as springs. They then travel in
meandering paths at various speeds; finally, they
discharge into desert basins, into major lakes, or
most likely, into oceans.
The Work of Rivers

The erosional work of streams/rivers carves


and shapes the landscape through which
they flow.
3 functions of rivers
a. Erosion
b. Transportation
c. Deposition
The Work of Rivers
Relationship of velocity and sediment size to
erosion
The Work of Rivers

B. Transportation (4 ways)
The Work of Rivers

B. Transportation (4 ways)
1.Traction
Larger and heavier rocks/gravels are dragged or
rolled along the bed.
The Work of Rivers

B. Transportation (4 ways)
2. Saltation (saltim: by leaps/jumps)
Smaller and lighter rock fragments and sand
hop and bounce along the river bed.
At times, the distinction between traction and
saltation may be difficult to determine.
The Work of Rivers

B. Transportation (4 ways)
3. Suspension
Some of the load like silt and clay (fine-
grained) will float along.
They may only be deposited when stream
velocity reaches near 0.
Turbulence in the water is crucial in holding a
load of sediments.
The Work of Rivers

B. Transportation (4 ways)
4. Solution
Some minerals are transported in dissolved
form.
Especially chemical solution derived from
minerals like limestone or dolomite.
The Work of Rivers

C. Deposition
A river will drop its load when:
a. Volume decreases
b. Speed decreases
The Work of Rivers

C. Deposition
A river’s volume decreases when
• Dry season
• Dry region with high evaporation
• Presence of permeable rocks
• Receding flood waters
The Work of Rivers

C. Deposition
A river’s speed decreases when
• It enters a lake
• It enters a calm sea
• It enters a gently sloping plain
The Work of Rivers

The work of a river depends on its energy


Energy a function of
a. Volume of water
b. Speed of water flow (dependent on gradient)

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