1.1

• When did Storm Desmond hit northern England?

  Storm Desmond hit northern England on 6 December 2015.
• What unusual event occurred at Malham Cove during Storm Desmond?

  Malham Cove temporarily became Britain’s highest waterfall due to intense rainfall.
• What is the typical geological process at Malham Cove involving limestone?

  Water usually percolates through the permeable limestone’s bedding planes and joints, runs along impermeable bedrock, and re-emerges as a stream.
• Why did a surface stream and waterfall appear at Malham Cove during the storm?

  The intensity of the storm saturated the soils and limestone, preventing normal water absorption and causing surface water flow.
• Which English county is known as the wettest, and what is its annual rainfall?

  Cumbria is the wettest county in England, with over 2000 mm of annual rainfall.
• How is a drainage basin system described in the context of hydrology?

  It is often seen as a 'black box' store where specific local influences on water flow are not always fully understood.
• What are the main components of a drainage basin system?

  Inputs like precipitation, a 'black box' drainage system, and outputs such as evaporation, transpiration, and stream flow.
• What happens when inputs change in the drainage basin system?

  There is a knock-on effect throughout the system, upsetting the natural water balance.