Scientific Report

Geologic features of the rivers

Abstract

This research paper looks at the rivers as a geological agent. The goal is to study the rivers and streams and the natural geological processes that cause the formation of both. Rivers and streams are different as the latter are smaller and have a shallow depth whereas rivers are deeper and wider. The paper will also focus on the stream erosion and how it develops. Finally, the paper will focus on the drainage patterns which are formed by the streams and rivers.  Overall, the paper tends to find out the mechanics of flowing water and the different types of rivers and streams that shape the earth surface In conclusion, streams and rivers play a significant geological work in erosion, transportation, and deposition.

 

 Introduction

 Rivers and streams are geological agents in the Earth's land surface and they act as important agents of erosion. The theoretical background states that rivers system are formed from a branched network of streams and when the streams meet they form large streams which them forms a large river. Overflow in the rivers and the streams come from the surrounding factors such as the topography, land use, soil type and more influences the catchment landscapes.  The research paper finds that rivers drain to specific land surfaces such as a watershed. As the river reaches to this point, rivers show different features such as size, climatic conditions, and quantities of water. In order to understand how streams are formed, the research paper finds that a river contains a network of streams but along the system, the depth and width increases and the chemical and physical characteristics changes due to environmental factors. Generally, the paper conducts research on river and streams and finds that both start at headwaters and ends to their water channels through their characteristic change in the process.

 

Discussions

Streams

 A stream means a natural flow of water that contains source, channels, banks, and mouth. Streams are part of the hydrological cycle and as they flow, they tend to meander and forms bend. Channels also divide due to factors such as the nature of the sediments, erodible bank and more (Anderson, 2001). Streams are important in carrying water to the sea thereby enhancing the water cycle process. They also act as a transporting medium by carrying sedimentary rocks and other things such as dissolved ions. The research paper also finds that streams emerge when water from rainfall and water from the ground fills the surface.  As the drainage system removes the water from the surface, the stream flow begins and forms a thin surface layer and the water forms small rill channels (Anderson, 2001). The formation of rill channels results in rapid erosion.

 

 

 

 Types of streams

 Headwater- the headwater is the upper part of the stream which traps floodwaters and grand waters and, provides water for wildlife habitat and sustains the downstream rivers.  Headwaters flow during rainy seasons and shrinks during the dry season. In other words, they flow seasonally and the majority are rain-dependent.  It is also important to understand that human activities such as agriculture alter the headwater streams and this lowers the water quality downstream. 

 

Year-round streams- this type of stream is also known as a perennial stream and it flows all year.  However, the perennial stream may cease to flow due to drought.  Hydrological indicators of a perennial stream include the flow of water following a storm, red rust material and lack of leaf litter.

 

 Seasonal streams- this type of streams flow in different times especially when small upstream, rainfall, precipitation supplements, and groundwater provides water.

 

 Rain-dependent streams- this type of stream flow following a rainfall. These tremens maintains the river systems and provides water for wildlife and other important purposes.

 

 Rivers

 Types of rivers

 Ephemeral rivers- these rivers flow as a result of heavy rainfall, especially in arid and semi-arid areas.   During the dry season, the channel surface becomes dry.

 

 Intermittent rivers- these rivers are seasonal or they flow during wet periods and dry during summer periods.

 

 Permanent rivers- these rivers have constant quick flow all due to a heavy rainstorm and a higher level of water table (Datry, Bonada, & Boulton, 2017). 

 

 Development of stream erosion

 The flowing stream water cause erosion when the water carries weathered materials, sediments, ions, and ionic compounds.  Faster streams and streams with steep gradient carry large particles and too heavy particles carried by the different types of streams are deposited on the bed load and later moved through intermittent movements (Kuypers, et al, 2015). Ways in which the streams erode include; hydraulic action- this method involves the ability to flow water to move and deposit particles. For example, if the water has a higher velocity, then the hydraulic action capabilities will be higher. Second is the abrasion- this means that the rate of erosion is higher if the sediments are heavier and collide thereby smoothening the stream bed (Kuypers, et al, 2015). The third is solution- this means that when the sedimentary rocks are weathered through the process of chemical weathering, they are dissolved and moved easily through hydraulic action.

 

 

 

 Types of drainage patterns

 

 Dendritic- this is a tree-like pattern which is mostly found in massive rocks where the rocks resist weathering. The streams mainly follow the shape of the slope they are in (Schumm, Dumont, & Holbrook, 2002).

 Parallel - parallel drainage patterns are found on the sloping surface and they occur in homogeneous rocks.   Streams follow the slope of the surface and drain similar direction.  In other words, streams are parallel because the rocks were made parallel by the earth movement (Schumm, Dumont, & Holbrook, 2002).

 Trellis- the channels are arranged in a rectangular form making streams appear parallel to each other

Centripetal - in this pattern, streams flow indicates an interior drainage or they drain at the center of a basin.   In other words, the streams flow in one direction and form a structural basin.

 Deranged -This patterns forms if a pre-existing drainage pattern is disrupted. For example, dendritic patters may be altered and this may cause the formation of a small lake and the appearance of tributary streams.

 

 Conclusion

 The term paper has focused on rivers and streams as the physical features found on the earth surface.  These features influence the shape of the land surface. The research paper has helped understand that the earth contains different cyclic processes done by things like water, waved and other geological agents. In particular, rivers and streams are geological agents which perform important roles such as erosion, transportation, and deposition. The flowing water from rivers and streams helps in generating electricity, dissolving soluble substances and developing landforms or fluvial landforms which are known to be the dominant land surfaces. The research paper has found that streams emerge after rainfall or in other words, the rainwater forms an overland flow and mainstreams. There must be the mainstream that contains a higher volume of flow.  Another learned important point is that the flowing water erodes or it carries materials and deposits them with the help of stream velocity and discharge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References 

Schumm, S. A., In Dumont, J. F., & In Holbrook, J. M. (2002). Active tectonics and alluvial rivers.

Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

 Kuypers, H., Mollema, A., Topper, E., & Verhei, P. (2005). Erosion control in the tropics. Wageningen:

Agromisa. 

Datry, T., Bonada, N., & Boulton, A. (2017). Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: Ecology and

management.

 Anderson, J. (2001). Rivers, streams and lakes. Cengage Learning Australia,