Physical Geog- Hydrology

• Hydraulic action- the force of the river against the banks can cause air to be trapped in cracks and crevices. The pressure weakens the banks and gradually wears it away.

• Abrasion- rocks carried along by the river wear down the river bed and banks.

• Attrition- rocks being carried by the river smash together and break into smaller, smoother and rounder particles.

• Solution- soluble particles are dissolved into the river.

The outside part of a river is the slowest because it causes frictional traction against the riverbank. As we look into the middle of the river, we can see the flow gets faster the furthur into the middle of the river because the middle of the river has nothing to cause frictional traction with.

• Solution- minerals are dissolved in the water and carried along in solution.

• Suspension- fine light material is carried along in the water.

• Saltation- small pebbles and stones are bounced along the river bed.

• Traction- large boulders and rocks are rolled along the river bed.

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