Answer :
The three main zones of a river system, from highest to lowest, are the zone of sediment production, the zone of transportation, and the zone of deposition. Thus, option (a) is correct.
Let's break down each of these zones:
- Zone of Sediment Production: This zone is located in the headwaters of the stream where erosion is dominant. Here, the gradient is steep, and the stream has significant energy to erode and generate sediment. Examples include high mountain areas like the Rocky Mountains.
- Zone of Sediment Transport: In this zone, the stream carries the sediment downstream. The gradient is less steep than the headwaters, allowing a balance between sediment erosion and deposition. This is typically the middle section of the stream where you see features such as floodplains and meandering channels.
- Zone of Deposition: This zone is found near the mouth of the stream where it enters a body of standing water (e.g., a lake, sea, or ocean). Here, the energy of the water decreases, leading to sediment being deposited and forming features such as deltas.
Each zone plays a crucial role in the landscape's geomorphology, as they illustrate the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition.
Complete Question:
What are the three main zones of a river system from highest to lowest?
a. zone of sediment production, zone of transportation, and zone of deposition
b. zone of deposition, zone of sediment production, and zone of transportation
c. zone of sediment production, zone of deposition, and zone of transportation
d. zone of deposition, zone of transportation, and zone of sediment production
e. zone of transportation, zone of sediment production, and zone of deposition
