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What is a meander in a river?
GeographyRivers
Quick Answer
A meander is a winding bend in a river, formed as flowing water erodes the outer bank and deposits sediment on the inner bank.
The Full Story
Meanders develop where a river flows across relatively flat land and begins to swing from side to side. Faster water erodes the outer bank of each bend, while slower water drops sediment on the inner bank, gradually making the bend larger. Over time, meanders can migrate across a floodplain and sometimes get cut off to form an oxbow lake. This process is common in mature rivers such as sections of the Mississippi River.
Key Facts
1.Outer-bank erosion and inner-bank deposition shape meanders
2.Meanders are common on low-gradient floodplains
3.Cutoff meanders can form oxbow lakes
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"Why rivers love to zigzag instead of going straight"