Meanders of the river

Meanders are the curves drawn by a river.

The curves of the river

Meanders are the sinuosities of a water course. They have been formed on the plains by erosion. When the slope of the soils is low, the water flows more slowly. The river widens and curves in places. These curves are called meanders.

How are they formed?

It can happen that a river bed becomes clogged. For example, by a rock that forms an obstacle. Then, the river water is pushed towards one of the banks and it excavates it little by little. The bed widens and changes direction, forming a curve.

A dead arm

Sometimes the water carves such a sharp curve that it separates, and the river flows straight again. Only a crescent-shaped lagoon remains of the curve. This is what is called a dead arm. The river water can fill it again in times of high floods.

Curiosities

The word meander has a very ancient origin; It was the name of a river that passed more than three thousand years ago, near the legendary city of Troy.

 

 

WE LEARN A NEW CONCEPT

Sinuosity: a sinuosity is a sinuous line, that is, it forms curves, undulations and bends.

 

meandros de río

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