Science Olympiad - Dynamic Planet Latest Update Graded A+

Science Olympiad - Dynamic Planet Latest Update Graded A+ USGS topographic maps detailed record of a land area, giving geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show the shape of the land the mountains, valleys, and plains by means of brown contour lines stream order The concept that describes the hierarchy of stream types (see image) Perennial streams Water flows in the stream at least 90 percent of the time in a well defined channel. Intermittent streams Flow generally occurs only during the wet season (50 percent of the time or less). Ephemeral streams Flow generally occurs for a short time after extreme storms. The channel is usually not well defined. drainage patterns Patterns in which water drains: dendritic (dentrites), trellis (like in farming), rectangular (like those sand shaking things), and radial (run down the mountain). (See and review image) Main channel the largest channel into which smaller streams flow. Tributaries small river or stream that flows in to a larger river or stream; a branch of the river Watershed a land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually to outflow points braided channel A channel that is divided into smaller channels by temporary islands called eyots. These channels tend to form in rivers that have a significant amount of sedimentary load. meandering channel a single channel that winds snakelike over the area it covers Straight channel A channel that flows in a relatively straight path; these often develop along the lines of faults and master joints. Calculations of sinuosity The length of the stream/channel divided by the distance between the beginning and end point of that stream/channel +The greater the number, the more tortuous (strongly meandering) the path the river takes. +this calculates the curvature of the body. Weathering the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals through contact with water, atmospheric gases, and/or biological organisms. Erosion the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water. This creates sediment Clasts Fragments of rocks or minerals ranging in size Very Fine Clast: Clay/Mud Clasts that are less than 0.0039mm in size Fine Clast: Silt/Mud Clasts that