Mass Movement Of Earth Materials
Build a model landscape consisting of a variety of shapes and sides of hills and valleys in the stream table. Shape a shallow stream channel through the landscape and into a lake at the outlet end of the table. Allow water to flow through the stream and observe the movement of materials as the stream erodes and undercuts its banks, you should be able to observe small landslides and slumping of materials into the stream.
These are just a few of the many experiments and observations that can be carried through. The teacher can work out many interesting and exciting experiments.
Building a Stream Table
1. Four sketches of the stream table construction.
A. One of the sidepieces.
(figure available in print form)
B. Endpiece, assembled, with V-shaped notch.
(figure available in print form)
C. Top view of the assembled table.
(figure available in print form)
D. View, in perspective, of table
(figure available in print form)
2. How to position and nail down the bottom of the stream table.
(figure available in print form)
3. In the stream table shown here, there is no V-shaped notch. Holes have been drilled through the outlet end of the box and short pieces of piping have been fitted into them. Plexiglass windows have been inserted at the outlet end and at each side.
(figure available in print form)