BY WASH Meaning and
Definition
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By wash is a term that is primarily used in geology, and it refers to a geological feature or process that occurs due to the accumulation or movement of sediments alongside a main current or stream. It typically describes secondary channels or channels formed by the erosion or deposition of sediments, often found adjacent or parallel to a main river or stream.
In fluvial systems, by wash can be seen as a result of lateral accretion or erosion, as sediments are deposited or eroded when the main channel changes its course or the water flow velocity decreases. This phenomenon often takes place in floodplains or alluvial terraces, where sediments are redistributed due to natural changes in water flow.
By wash can also refer to the sediments themselves that are transported or accumulated by this process. These sediments can vary in size, ranging from gravel, sand, silt, to clay. By wash sediments may appear as distinct layers or deposits alongside the main channel, with different characteristics compared to the sediments within the main channel.
Overall, by wash represents an important aspect of fluvial geomorphology, contributing to the evolution and shaping of river systems. Understanding the formation and characteristics of by wash deposits aids in the study of geological processes and landforms associated with rivers and their interactions with the surrounding environment.
