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Fluvial Processes and Landforms
Landforms shaped by running water are described as fluvial landforms. The work of streams consists of three closely related activities - erosion, transportation, and deposition, creating two major types of fluvial landforms: erosional landforms and depositional landforms.
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Fluvial Processes and Landforms
Erosional and depositional landforms.
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The Evolution of a Stream
The work of streams consists of three closely related activities - erosion, transportation, and deposition.
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The Evolution of a Stream
(a) Stream established on a land surface dominated by landforms of recent tectonic activity. (b) Gradation in progress. (c) Gradation profile attained. (d) Floodplain widened to accommodate meanders.
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Meanders In meandering streams, erosion and deposition occur at the banks. Point bars form where slow-moving water deposits fine material. Cut banks occur where faster-moving water erodes away bank materials. *See animation on meandering streams in the geodiscoveries section of your text’s website.
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Waterfalls Small, high waterfalls are common features of alpine mountains carved by glacial erosion. However, large waterfalls on major rivers are comparatively rare. *See movie on waterfalls in the geodiscoveries section of your text’s website.
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Waterfalls A bird's-eye view of the Niagara River with its falls and gorge carved in strata of the Niagara Escarpment. The view is toward the southwest from a point over Lake Ontario.
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Alluvial Fans One very common landform built by braided, aggrading streams is the alluvial fan, a low cone of alluvial sands and gravels. The apex, or central point of the fan, lies at the mouth of a canyon or ravine. The fan is built out on an adjacent plain.
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Alluvial Fans A cross section shows mudflow layers interbedded with sand layers, providing water for a well in the fan.
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Alluvial Fans Alluvial fan along coastal shoreline.
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