Author Question: Compare and contrast sediment transportation by wind and by water. What will be an ideal ... (Read 65 times)

joblessjake · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

Compare and contrast sediment transportation by wind and by water.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how the environmental conditions in the headwaters of the Colorado River affect the longevity of the river as it moves through the desert.

What will be an ideal response?

Zack0mack0101@yahoo.com · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Both can carry sediments for long distances, both in a suspended load and a bed load. Velocity for both will increase with increasing height above the surface. However, wind has a lower density and cannot pick up and transport large materials. Also, because wind is not confined to a channel, it can spread over large distances and spread sediment over large areas.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Because of high evaporation rates and high water losses due to the low water table, the Colorado River needs to have a large water supply coming from outside the desert. Fortunately, the mountains where the Colorado begins are wetter, supplying a great deal of water to that river as well as the major tributaries that feed it.