Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
FLUVIAL SYSTEMS
AND LANDFORMS
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
This chapter investigates water that flows across the surface of Earth in streams. Whether these flowing bodies of
water occur in the largest rivers or smallest creeks and brooks, they are collectively viewed as fluvial systems . This
chapter discusses the input of water into these systems, how it behaves within them, and the predictable outputs
such as landforms that result.
In many cases, streams are a visible reflection of the more distant geological past. In humid regions, streams
have likely been flowing along the same basic course for thousands of years, shaping the landscape gradually
through erosion and deposition. Where streams occur in semi-arid to arid regions, however, they may flow only
during the wet season, or only every few years when intense rains fall. When they do flow, they may dramatically
alter the landscape because moving water has tremendous power. If you like watching streams, or enjoy fishing
and canoeing on them, you will like this chapter.
 
 
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