Geo 207 Exam 2

a single-thread channel similar to the curves of a moving snake

multithread channel where there are two or more channels that unite and divide as the river flows downstream.

Quantity of water flowing past a particular point on a stream, usually measured in cubic feed per second or cubic meters per second

the region drained by a single stream or river

Flat topography adjacent to a stream produced by overbank flow and by lateral migration of the channel and associated sand or gravel bars

A large, natural stream that carries a considerable volume of flowing surface water

Consists of three zones from headwater to river mouth known respectively as the zone of sediment and water production, zone of transport of water and sediment and zone of sediment deposition

Condition in which surface runoff from a relevantly wide area has caused a steam to overflow its bans—more common in the lower part of a drainage basin where tributary streams have increased the discharge of the overflowing stream

Typically occur in upper parts of drainage basin (zone 1) and some small drainage basins of tributaries to a larger river. They are generally produced by intense rainfall od short duration over a relatively small area

The natural process of overbank flow

A mound or embankment parallel to a stream channel; it may consist of fine sediment deposited from overbank flow during a flood or be an earthen embankment constructed by humans to protect adjacent land from flooding

extrememly large floods capable of causing a catastrophe that be expected to reoccur every few hundred years

The time between natural events, such as floods or earthquakes. Commonly given as the average recurrence interval, which is determined by averaging a series of intervals between events

The process of a returning a stream and adjacent areas to a more natural state

Engineering technique to straighten, widen deepen or otherwise modify a natural stream

modifications to building are designed to minimize flood damage while allowing floodwaters to enter a building

to obtain the most beneficial use of floodplains while minimizing flood damage and the cost of flood protection

Mixture of weathered rock, soil and other, usually angular, material on a slope; produced by creep, land sliding and other surface processes

Slow downslope movement of soil and other weakly consolidated earth materials, characterized by slow flowing, sliding or slipping.

Rapid downslope movement of unconsolidated, water saturated earth material that became unstable because of torrential rain, rapid melting of snow and ice, or sudden drainage of a pond or lake; sometimes restricted to flows of this type that contain mainly coarse material

an influence that tends to make earth material move downslope

materials such as rocks dropping through the air from steep slops

downslope movement of earth materials that deform as a fluid, such as fluid movement of grains of sand, rock, snow or ice, debris and mud

specifically, rapid downslope movement of rock or soil; also a general term for all types of downslope movement.

a comprehensive term for any type of downslope movement of earth materials

an influence that tends to oppose downslope movement

the ratio of the resisting forces to the driving forces. If greater than 1 the slope is stable, if less than 1 the slope is considered unstable

the internal resistance in earth material to shear stress; on slopes this strength resists failure by sliding or flowing.

the deformation or downslope movement of a nearly intact block of earth material along a slip surface

with respect to mass wasting, the downslope movement of rock, sediment, or soil along a curved slip surface

rapid downslope movement of snow, ice and rock

free face and adjacent valley wall regularly shed pieces of rock that accumulate at the base of the cliff

Conduction is the transfer of heat through a substance by means of atomic or molecular interactions.

Convection is the transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid such as water or air

Latent heat is the amount of heat that is either absorbed or released when a substance changes phase

Radiation refers to wavelike energy that is emitted by any substance that posses heat

Layer of gases surrounding a plant, such as the earth

A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the amount that would saturate the air at any given temperature and pressure; commonly expressed as a percentage

The lowest layer, extends about 8 to 16 km above the surface of the earth

Apparent deflection in the path of a moving object. TO the right in the northern hemisphere, to the left in the southern hemisphere

a boundary between 2 air masses that are distinguished by differences in temperature and commonly moisture content

a concentrated flow of air near the top of the troposphere characterized by strong winds

They are severe winter storms in which large amounts of falling or blowing snow are driven by high winds to create low visibilities for an extended period of time

extended period of unusually low precipitation that produces a temporary shortage of water for people, animals and plants

a weather event in which visibility at eye level drops to less than .6 miles for hours or days because of fine airborne particles of silt or clay

a graduated range of values from EF0 to EF5 for describing tornado intensity based on the maximum 3-second wind velocity inferred from damage to buildings, towers, poles, and trees

a cloud that is in contact with the ground

large round or irregular piece of ice that has grown while moving up and down numerous times within the clouds of a severe thunderstorm

Heat index is the measure of the bodys perception of air temperature, which is greatly influenced by humidity

a prolonged period of extremely high air temperature that is both longer and botter than normal. The criteria for establishing what constitutes longer and hotter than normal varies geographically with climate and living conditions

a prolonged period of freezing rain during which thick layers of ice accumulate on all cold surfaces

a natural, high-voltage electrical discharge between clouds and the ground, between clouds or within clouds. The discharge takes a few tenths of a second and emits a flash of light that is followed by thunder

Supercells are defined by the presence of an upward spiraling column of air-vertical axis rotation-known as a mesocylone

a change in direction or speed of wind with changing altitude

Wind chill is when moving air rapidly cools exposed skin by evaporating moisture and removing warm air from next to the body

a local climatic condition resulting from various design and land use practices in a city, large town or other extensively developed areas. This condition can intensify heatwaves and cause temperatures in a metropolitan area to be up to 12 degrees C warmer than surrounding rural areas

the announcement of a possible hazardous event, such as a large earthquake or flood, that could occur in the near future

an alert issued by a forecast office that meteorological conditions are favorable for severe weather

consists of electrically charged atoms or molecules, called ions, which are carried in chemical solution

composed mainly of small silt and clay particles that are carried above the stream bed by the flowing water, 90%

10% consists of sand and gravel particles that slide, roll and bounce along the channel bottom in rapidly moving water

fan-shaped deposit of course sediment that is dropped by a stream as it emerges from a mountain front onto flatter terrain (ON LAND)

triangular shaped deposit formed near the mouth of a stream typically leading into a lake or ocean

Zone 1: water and sediment production (zone of production)

Zone 2: zone where water and sediment are conveyed (zone of transport)

Zone 3: zone where water velocity slows near base level and sediment is deposited (zone of deposition)

Land use on the floodplain, depth and velocity of floodwaters, rate of rise and duration of flooding

Primary effects: injury, loss of life, and damage caused directly by the flood

Secondary effects: short-term pollution of rivers, hunger and disease, and displacement of persons who have lost their homes

Fertile lands, aquatic ecosystems, and sediment supply

increased development on the floodplains, they someitmes fail, people get comfortable and forget to protect themselves

removes debris, deepen, widen, straighten, reduces roughness, makes it easier for water to flow though channel.

Flood insurance, flood proofing (modifications to building are designed to minimize flood damage while allowing floodwaters to enter a building) Floodplain regulation (to obtain the most beneficial use of floodplains while minimizing flood damage and the cost of flood protection)

Falling, Sliding, Flowing

Loose: typically start at a point and widen as they move downslope

Slab: start as cohesive blocks of snow and ice that move downslope

Can increase animal and plant diversity. In lakes can create new habitat for fish and other organisms. Can produce deposits that become mineral resources

Drainage control, grading and slope supports

Force: the pushing or pulling of an object (newton)

Work: when a force is applied to an object and that object moves a given distance in the direction of the applied force (joules)

Power: the rate at which work is done (watts)

Potential energy: stored energy

Kinetic energy: the energy of motion

Heat energy: the energy of random motion of atoms and molecules

heat that may be sensed or measured by a thermometer

the amount of heat that is either absorbed or released when a substance changes phase

Energy emitted form the sun, a type of radiation that moves at the speed of light

upper boundary of troposphere

louds develop when very small water droplets or ice crystals condense from the atmosphere

Windstorms help maintain the health of forests. Ice storms can increase the plant and animal diversity in the forest

Preparing for the severe weather is to know what to do when it does happen while mitigation is trying to prevent it from happening