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These
include:
the amount and the intensity of the rain heavy rain will not sink into the
ground; instead it will become overland flow or run off and quickly reach the
river
temperatures are significant because they affect the form of precipitation. For
land use trees and plants will intercept and delay the rain reaching the
ground. Bare soil and rock will speed up runoff and reduce the time lag. So
too will urban areas covered by tarmac and concrete
steep slopes will cause rapid surface runoff, so water will reach the river more
quickly. Flat and gently sloping land may lead to water sinking into the soil.
This will delay it reaching the river
rock type impermeable rocks will not allow rainwater to sink into it, so will
dams and reservoirs regulate and even out discharges. They hold back discharge
and so reduce the risk of flooding downstream (Figure I . 9).
1500
Jan
the differences between the
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
two hydrographs in Figure 1.9.
Months
Figure I .9: The impact of a dam and water
storm hydrograph
Try
to
differences.
explain
those
abstraction on a river's
Chemical
weathering
Biological
weathering
All this destructive activity takes place where rocks outcrop (are above the surface
of the surrounding land). Once rocks are really broken down, the weathered
material starts to move down the slope under the influence of gravity. This is mass
movement. It takes several different forms. In river valleys, there are two main
types of mass movement:
slumping this occurs when the bottom of a valley side slope is cut away by the
river flowing at its base. This makes the slope unstable and weathered material
slumps down towards the river. Slumping is also helped when the weathered
material on the slope is saturated by heavy rain. The water does two things. It
makes the weathered material heavier and acts as a lubricant. Figure 1.10 is an
example of sudden slumping leading to a major landslide.
soil creep weathered material moves slowly down slope under the influence of
gravity. It collects at the bottom of the valley side and is eroded by the river.