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Erosion is, by definition, a wearing away of a substance. As water flows downstream it carries debris in the form of boulders, stones silt and mud. As this debris, some of which is in suspension, is flung against the banks it undercuts and, therefore, erodes the banks thus increasing the width in places. Debris is also transported by traction (rolling along the bottom of the river) and saltation (bouncing along the bottom), both of which erode the bottom of the river, thus increasing the depth. Solution also plays a part - that is chemicals which are unseen, but are dissolved in the water - it affects rocks over which it passes, particularly limestone. However, in other places deposition also occurs which can reduce depth and width. Similar processes occur in lakes, especially where a river flows into or out of them.

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Q: Why does erosion increase channel width and depth?
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Related questions

Does the volume of water affects erosion?

Yes, if depth is increased as a result. Because P=pgh, or Pressure = density x grativational acceleraton x depth, if an incarease in volum leads to an increase in depth (not length or width of a container or area), then pressure increases. Then, since P=F/a, or Pressure = Force/ area, as pressure increases, force increases (again, provided that the area of the applied force does not increase. With net force increasing, the rate of erosion will increase.


When the discharge of a stream increases what happens to the streams width?

When stream discharge increases, more water is flowing through a corridor. To accommodate that, the water will rise in the channel. Depending on the geometry of the channel, the width of wetted water surface may increase as the water fills a different geometry. If the width of the cross-sectional geometry is constant, however, only depth will increase, along with velocity.


What is vertical erosion?

Vertical erosion is when the depth of the river is greater than the width causing erosion to take place on the bed of the river. This is also when lots of water enters the river but not as much is exiting it.


Why are the width and depth of a river related?

This is because a river erodes both vertically and laterally so if there is a lot of water in the river you would expect both the width and depth to increase. Hope this is helpful


Why does the rivers wetted perimeter increase as we travele downstream?

Because the Width and Depth both increase downstream. This means the wetted perimeter will also increase.


What is the definition of cross sectional area of a river?

It is the area of the plane (the surface) covered by the water in the river channel. It is the product of the width of the channel, and the average depth of the river


How do you find the depth to width ratio?

Measure the depth and width using the same units. Divide the depth measurement by the width measurement.


In what order do you show width height depth in inches?

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river discharge is when the amount of water is measured and the amount that is in the river channel, and at a given point (width,length,depth)


Is the length or the width the depth of a cabinet?

The depth is neither the length nor width. Length is the measurement from top to bottom, width is from side to side, and depth is from front to back.


What is the length of a pool that holds 55000 gallons?

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IN THAT FORM. YOU NEED TO SUPPLY MORE INFORMATION, SUCH AS THE OTHER DIMENSIONS OF THE POOL; WIDTH, DEPTH, IS THE DEPTH CONSTANT OR DOES IT INCREASE, ETC.