HKDSE Geography/M2a/Fluvial Morphometry
< HKDSE Geography | M2a
Fluvial morphometry describes what rivers are shaped like. You don't have to know the word - it's just that a title was needed for this section.
Stream order
editThe stream order is counted from streams flowing from the source.
- When two first-order streams meet, they form a second-order stream.
- When two third-order streams meet, a fourth-order stream is formed.
- When a second-order stream meets a third-order stream, a fourth-order stream is formed.
- etc.
Drainage Density
edit Drainage density - Total length of channels in a basin over Total area of basin
This may appear in map-reading questions.
Drainage Pattern
editA drainage pattern is the 'shape' of the river system. Usually, it suffices to be able to identify each. The formation of each pattern is included, just in case.
| Name | Description | Image | Formation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dendritic | Looks like tree branches; tributaries join at acute angles | 
|
Uniform rock structure (same type/resistance) |
| Rectangular | Tributaries join at right angles (streams are not located at valleys) | 
|
Lines of weakness intersecting at right angles (perpendicular joint sets) |
| Trellis | Tributaries join the main stream at right angles (streams are located at valleys) | File:Trellis drainage pattern.JPG | Alternate layers of resistant and non-resistant rock (soft rocks are eroded to form valleys and thus tributaries) |
| Radial | Rivers flow in all directions from a centre down the sides of a hill | 
|
At a hill (conical/volcano) |
| Centripetal | Rivers flow from different directions towards central depression | still needs one | Inland basins |
