base level
Ground floor standard
Base level is the lowest point to which a stream or river can erode its channel, typically sea level for rivers that reach the ocean.
A lake or resistant rock layer can create a local or temporary base level.
The concept explains why rivers don't cut infinitely downward—they approach equilibrium with their base level.
In broader use, base level means a fundamental or minimum standard: We need to establish a base level of competency before advancing.
- denudationRemoval of surface covering
- peneplainErosion-flattened land surface
- gradientRate of change across space
- erosionGradual wearing away
- bottomLowest point or underside
lowest point · stratum · geomorphology · landform · bedrock · groundwater · riverbed · river mouth · equilibrium · reference point · streamflow · datum · starting point · ground zero · hydrology · foundation · floor · threshold
- ranksrank and file, enlisted ranks, tier one, officer rank, tier two
- levelstier, layer, floor, story, stratum
- lower ordersubordinate, underling, minion, servant, menial
- river processeserosion, abrasion, attrition, corrosion, downcutting
- landformsmountain, cliff, valley, volcano, mountain ridge
- nutritionnutrients, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins