Work of Running Water

The distinct exogenous processes of terrain transformation carried out by the water bodies of a particular region accumulate to the work of running water as it courses through the region. A landscape is highly influenced by this geological work of running water that defines and alters the features of the land throughout its course.  Running water is responsible for the formation of minor potholes to canyons, gorges and valleys. Running water is a determinant factor towards the definitive features of the land. These influences of running water upon the landforms are catalysed by temperature, air pressure and tectonic stability of the land.

Running water: overview

Running water of a particular region is mostly associated with rainfall or a river that exhibits a state of flow.  This flow determines the work of running water in a particular region.  The running water affects the landscape by altering the geological condition of the region by the processes of erosion and deposition of rocks and minerals from one region to the other. 

Work of running water

• Running water is mostly responsible for the alteration of the land by erosion conducts the process with the form of sources. The overland flow takes place on the land in the form of sheets, for example, rainfall or hot springs and the other being inland flows that include streams and rivers.
• The overland flow is responsible for the sheet erosion of the surface that depends upon the terrain pattern of the region, which erodes chunks of surfaces of land in the direction of the flow, forming narrow slits, which further deepens from rills to gullies and eventually widens and forms in valleys. This process takes thousands of years and determines the geological work of running water in that particular region.

Work of river

The work of running water like a river mostly affects the surface of the land of its course in a linear flow. The water body erodes, transports and deposits rocks along with it. This process can be further subdivided into three stages of its course.

• The upper course of the river originates from the hilly region where mostly the functions of erosion are prevalent due to the strength of the water force.
• The river flows downward with maximum velocity carrying along the rocks on the outer surface close to or in the course of the river.
• The river courses down its path when it reaches the middle stage it mostly demonstrates the aspects of transportation. Due to reduction in velocity the downward erosion slowly turns to a horizontal flow of erosion that transports the eroded products along the course.
• The alluvial plains and meanders in this stage contribute to the process of transportation 
• In the lower course of the river, as it passes through broader areas and is on the verge of meeting with the sea or ocean bodies, the river deposits the eroded products around the basins.
• The minimal existence of lateral erosion and maximum deposition in this stage causes the bed formations

Types of erosions

The above mentioned geological works of running water determine the processes and impacts of erosion upon the land surface and terrain pattern. The resultant erosion due to the work of running water can be subdivided into three categories.

• Corrosion: The big chunks of rocks as it flows through the course of the river undergo scraping and breakage, which dismantles the bigger rock into minute fragments and this process is called corrosion.
• Corrosion: The chemical reaction that causes deformation of rocks in the water bodies is termed corrosion.
• Hydraulic action: This action refers to the breakage and sweeping of big rocks by the sheer force of the river.

Conclusion

The work of the running water mostly impacts the geology of the landforms of a region that comes in contact with the water bodies and their significant pattern of flows. These water bodies transform the landscape through erosion, transportation and deposition. The geological work of running water is mostly functional by the overland flow that is caused mostly by rain flow leading to sheet erosion of the place and the river bodies with their linear flow that carries eroded rocks and minerals to a different region along its course.