Geography key terms

A main river and the tributaries that feed into it.

The speed at which river water flows, usually measured in metres per second (m/s) in fieldwork.

A bedrock outcrop shaped by glacial erosion, with a smooth, gently sloping upstream side and a steep, rough downstream side.

Large boulders placed along the shore to absorb wave energy and protect the coast; also called riprap.

How well a rock withstands weathering and erosion.

A radial chart showing the magnitude or frequency of observations associated with different compass directions.

A model proposing that economies develop through five stages, from a traditional agricultural society to high mass consumption, through investment, technological change and industrialisation.

The curved movement of glacial ice within a hollow, helping to deepen a corrie.

A mass movement in which a section of a slope moves down along a curved slip surface, often in saturated clay.

The degree to which a sediment particle has smooth, curved edges rather than sharp corners.

A map showing the path to follow between places, with relevant connections and landmarks.

Countryside with relatively low population density, including villages, hamlets and scattered settlements.

A decrease in the number of people living in a countryside area.

The development of additional or alternative sources of income alongside or instead of traditional rural activities such as farming.

A village, hamlet or other small settlement in the countryside.

The movement of people from the countryside to towns and cities to live.

The zone at the edge of a town or city where urban and rural land uses meet and mix.

The movement of people from the countryside to towns or cities within the same country.

A rating from Category 1 to Category 5 based only on a hurricane’s maximum sustained wind speed.

A five-category classification of hurricane intensity. When using a classification table, measurements must be matched to the stated category ranges and units.

Water containing a high concentration of dissolved salts, such as seawater.

The build-up of salts in soil, which can make it harder for crops to grow.

Transportation in which small stones and pebbles bounce along the river bed.

A coastal wetland regularly flooded by seawater, with salt-tolerant vegetation that can reduce wave energy.

The movement of saltwater into freshwater environments or soils.

A smaller group of people, places or observation times selected to represent a larger group.

The number of observations, measurements or participants included in a sample.