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Base level

edited May 2014 in Geography & Geology
Why can't river erode below base level?
as i can think, erosion can happen as long as there is graded profile which can very well be below sea level. So what's the logic behind fixing the sea level as the base level?

Comments

  • @jyoti
    Your question is logical, it is possible that base level goes below the sea level.But then how will the river flow towards the sea if it loses its gradient .This happens in the case of inland drainage of river.

    Usually when we talk about base level we take large rivers that merge into sea so we take the base level at the sea level.

    Also we use the word "sea level" but technically it should be "relative sea level"
  • @vkk
    Interesting. Thanks.
    Could you please elaborate on why it should be called "relative Sea level"?
  • @vkk
    Interesting. Thanks.
    Could you please elaborate on why it should be called "relative Sea level"?
    Relative sea level takes account of eustasy and tectonic movement of continental crust.So base level is equated to relative sea level.

    If Still not clear ,read this

    www.sepmstrata.org/Terminology.aspx?id=base%20level
  • Base level is the lowest level to which erosion by running water can take place. below base level there is no gradient that can generate movement in river water.
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