Fluvial.html

Fluvial is used in geography and earth science to refer to the deposits and landforms created by the action of rivers or streams and the processes associated with them. When the stream or rivers are associated with glaciers, ice sheets, or ice caps, the term glaciofluvial is used.¹

1 Fluvial processes
2 References
3 See also
- 3.1 Fluvial processes
- 3.2 Fluvial landforms

Fluvial processes

Erosion by moving water happens in two ways. Firstly the movement of water across the bed has an effect (This is called hydraulic action). Secondly the sediment being transported in the river wears away the bed (Abrasion) and the fragments themselves are ground down becoming smaller and more rounded (Attrition)

The sediment is transported as either bedload (The coarser fragments which move close to the bed) and the suspended load (Finer fragments carried in the water). There is also a component carried as dissolved material.

For each grain size there is a specific velocity at which the grains start to move, called Entrainment velocity. However the grains will continue to be transported even if the velocity falls below the entrainment velocity due to the reduced (or removed) friction between the grains and the river bed. Eventually the velocity will fall low enough for the grains to be deposited. This is shown by the Hjulstorm Curve.

References

^ K.K.E. Neuendorf, J.P. Mehl, Jr., and J.A. Jackson, eds., 2005, Glossary of Geology. American Geological Institute, Alexandria, Virginia. 800 pp.

Fluvial.html

Contents

Fluvial processes

References

See also

Fluvial processes

Fluvial landforms