Geography 2010A/B Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Baseflow
29 Aug 2018
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Document Summary
Hydrology pertains to the science of surface waters. Concerned with both the quantity and quality of waters, as well as the timing, spatial patterns, and extremes of surface flow. This results in what is referred to as a nival hydrological regime: rainfall may also play a role, which represents a pluvial component. Where present, glaciers contribute to additional surface water and a glacial regime snow melt dynamics: the presence of surface water depends on temperatures substantially above 0 c. The seasonal rise in temperatures is accompanied by lengthening daylight which contributes additional solar insolation to snow melt. Because of the strong link between solar insolation, the surface energy balance and snow melt processes, meltwater production is characterized by a strong diurnal pattern. However, due to conductive delays and relatively slow percolation of meltwater down through the snow pack, meltwater output lags energy input by several hours.
