Water Erosion and Deposition

Runoff:  
Water that doesn’t soak into the ground or evaporates but instead flows across Earth’s surface.

 

 Channel:  

Water moving down the same path that creates a groove.

 Sheet erosion:  

Surface water erosion that occurs when water that is flowing as sheets picks up and carries away sediments.

 

 Drainage basin:  

 The area of land from which a stream or river collects runoff.

 Meander:  

Broad c-shaped curve in a stream or river, formed by erosion of its outer bank.

Groundwater:  

Water that soaks into the ground and collects in pores or empty spaces; an important source of water. 

Permeable: 

Describes rock and material with connecting pores through which water can flow.

Impermeable: 

Describes materials water cannot pass through.

Aquifer:  

The layer of permeable rock that lets water move freely.

Water table:

Upper surface of the zone of saturation; drops during a drought.

Spring:

Occurs when water table meets Earth’s surface, often found on hillsides and used as a freshwater source.

Geyser:

A hot spring that erupts periodically, shooting water and steam into the air.

Cave:

An underground opening that can form when acidic groundwater dissolves limestone.

Longshore current:

Current that runs parallel to the shoreline, is caused by waves colliding against the shore at slight angles, and moves tons of loose sediments.

Beach:

Deposition of sediment that are parallel to the shore.