Streams and Floods Explained — River Systems, Sediment Transport, and Flood Hazards | Chapter 17 from Earth: Portrait of a Planet
Streams and Floods Explained — River Systems, Sediment Transport, and Flood Hazards | Chapter 17 from Earth: Portrait of a Planet How does running water sculpt the planet and threaten our communities? Chapter 17 of Earth: Portrait of a Planet by Stephen Marshak reveals the dynamic world of streams and floods—explaining the processes that shape landscapes, nourish ecosystems, and drive natural hazards. For a podcast summary, watch the chapter video on YouTube , or keep reading for an in-depth study guide. How Streams Form and Drain Landscapes Origin: Streams begin with sheetwash, downcutting, and headward erosion, eventually forming channels. Drainage Networks: Patterns include dendritic, radial, rectangular, trellis, and parallel, reflecting underlying geology. Watersheds: All land that drains into a river or stream, separated by divides like the continental divide. Stream Flow and Sediment Transport Discharge: Volume of water passing a point per second—af...