GEOL 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Sinuosity, Point Bar, Positive Feedback
23 Apr 2019
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Document Summary
Sinuosity: the amount that a channel curves. Braided streams: characterized by a network of inter-weaving, sinuous channels, but the overall channel can be fairly straight. Many streams consist of a single channel that is gently curved. Meandering streams: very curved channels, forming tight loops. Channel is shallower and velocity is lower on the inside of a bend. Causes sediment to be deposited on the inside of the bend in a crescent-shaped deposit of loose sediment called a point bar. Channel is deeper, water velocity is faster on the outside of the bend. Curve starts to form when a slight difference in roughness on the channel bottom causes water to flow faster on one side of the channel than on the other. Pools: deeper areas formed by the faster moving current slightly excavating the channel bottom.
