meander
The wearing down of soil and bedrock of a river or stream creates a channel, which is a trough or groove formed by the flow of water. This channel path is where the river or stream flows and carries sediment downstream. Over time, erosion can widen and deepen the channel, shaping the landscape.
A stream can erode its streambed through the processes of abrasion, where sediments carried by the water wear down the bedrock through friction; corrasion, where stones and rocks carried by the water crash into the bedrock; and hydraulic action, where the force of the water itself dislodges and transports sediment. Over time, these processes can deepen and widen the stream channel.
Bedrock channels are more likely to be found near the head of a stream where the gradient is steeper and erosion processes are more active. As the stream flows downstream and the gradient decreases, the likelihood of encountering bedrock channels decreases as well.
The type of bedrock can significantly affect the rate at which a stream erodes downwards towards its base level. Soft, easily erodible bedrock like clay or sandstone will result in quicker erosion and a faster rate of reaching base level than harder bedrock like granite or basalt, which will erode more slowly. Additionally, the presence of fault lines or fractures in the bedrock can also influence the speed at which a stream reaches its base level.
The Limpid Stream was created in 1935.
The relationship between bedrock structure and stream drainage patterns is primarily influenced by the geological features of the terrain. Stream channels often follow the paths of least resistance, which can be shaped by the orientation and type of bedrock, such as fractures, faults, or varying rock hardness. For instance, streams may meander around harder rock formations or align with geological structures like folds or faults, leading to distinct drainage patterns such as dendritic, trellis, or rectangular configurations. Consequently, the underlying bedrock significantly affects how water flows and carves the landscape.
Forest Stream was created in 1995.
Soul Stream was created in 1964.
Stream Energy was created in 2004.
The Time Stream was created in 1946.
Stream from the Heavens was created in 1994.
Stream of Passion was created in 2005.