Geomorphic Processes

Alluvial fans are formed by the deposition of sediment by a river.

Glacial transport is the process by which sediment is transported by ice.

Mass wasting is the process by which sediment is transported by gravity.

Desert landforms are those that are found in deserts. Sand dunes are a type of desert landform that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown sand.

Fluvial transport is the process by which sediment is transported by water.

River meandering is caused by the lateral movement of the river channel, which is driven by the force of the water flowing through the channel. As water flows around bends in the river, it erodes the outer bank and deposits sediment on the inner bank, causing the river to gradually change its course.

Braiding is the process by which a river splits into multiple channels that rejoin downstream. This can occur when the river's sediment load is high, the riverbed is steep, or the river's flow is variable.

The primary factor that determines whether a river will meander or braid is a combination of the river's gradient, sediment load, and flow regime. Rivers with a low gradient, high sediment load, and variable flow regime are more likely to braid, while rivers with a high gradient, low sediment load, and steady flow regime are more likely to meander.

Neck cutoff is the process by which a river's meanders become increasingly sinuous. This occurs when the river erodes the neck of a meander, causing the meander to be cut off from the main channel. The cutoff meander then becomes an oxbow lake.

Incision is the process by which a braided river channel becomes narrower and deeper. This occurs when the river erodes its bed and banks, causing the channel to become entrenched. Incision can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in the river's sediment load, flow regime, or gradient.

Channel avulsion is the process by which a river changes its course suddenly and dramatically. This can occur when the river erodes its banks and creates a new channel, or when the river overflows its banks and floods a new area. Channel avulsion can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in the river's sediment load, flow regime, or gradient.

Channel avulsion deposits typically contain levees, which are natural embankments that form along the banks of a river. Levees are created when the river overflows its banks and deposits sediment on the floodplain. Over time, these sediment deposits can build up and form levees that can help to protect the floodplain from flooding.

Aggradation is the process by which sediment is deposited on the floodplain during a flood. This occurs when the river overflows its banks and deposits sediment on the land. Aggradation can lead to the formation of floodplains, which are areas of land that are regularly flooded by a river.

Floodplains typically contain backswamps, which are areas of wetland that are formed when a river overflows its banks and floods the surrounding land. Backswamps are important habitats for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species.

A river terrace is a relatively flat, elevated surface that borders a river valley. It represents a former floodplain that was abandoned as the river downcut and migrated laterally.