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Earth and Space Sciences · Glossary

What is Source, mouth and tributary?

Also known as: source (of a river) · mouth (of a river) · tributary

Definition 10.7 Primary & Middle School Earth and Space Sciences · Chapter 10 — Water Shapes the Land

The source of a river is the place where it begins: a spring, a melting glacier, or a high, wet land where many tiny streams start. Its mouth is the place where it ends, flowing into the sea, a lake or a bigger river. A tributary is a smaller river that flows into a bigger one.

The long profile of a river, from its source to its mouth (the heights are much stretched). Below: what lies on its bed.
The long profile of a river, from its source to its mouth (the heights are much stretched). Below: what lies on its bed.
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