Eduqas A-Level Geography A110QS
Coastal LandscapesLandscape
Glaciated LandscapesLandscape
Changing Places
Water and Carbon Cycles
Global Migration
Global Governance of the Oceans
Tectonic Hazards
EcosystemsContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: IndiaContemporary theme
Economic Growth and Challenge: ChinaContemporary theme
Development in an African ContextContemporary theme
Energy Challenges and DilemmasContemporary theme
Weather and ClimateContemporary theme
Geographical Skills
Water and Carbon Cycles
Infiltration, overland flow and throughflow
- 2 things to know
- Component 2
Overview
Infiltration capacity and overland flow.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What is infiltration capacity, and in what units is it measured?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define infiltration.
Model answer
Infiltration is the movement of water from the surface downward into the soil. Gravity and capillary attraction together drive the process.
- 2
What is infiltration capacity, and in what units is it measured?
Model answer
Infiltration capacity is the maximum rate at which a soil can absorb water. Measurement is in millimetres per hour.
- 3
Compare the infiltration capacity of a sandy soil and a clay soil.
Model answer
A coarse sandy soil can absorb well over 200 millimetres an hour through its large pore spaces. A compacted clay soil may absorb under 5 millimetres an hour.
- 4
Why does infiltration capacity fall during a storm?
Model answer
Pore spaces fill with water as the storm continues, which reduces the space available for more. Raindrop impact also seals the surface with a crust of fine particles.
- 5
Define overland flow.
Model answer
Overland flow is water moving across the ground surface towards a channel. Movement occurs either as a thin sheet or in small rills.
- 6
Explain how infiltration-excess overland flow is generated.
Model answer
Infiltration-excess overland flow occurs when rainfall intensity exceeds the soil's infiltration capacity. Water then ponds on the surface and runs downslope even though the soil is not saturated.
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