Question

How are meanders formed?

Answer 1

Meanders are formed when a river flows over a gentle slope and develops bends due to the combination of lateral erosion and deposition. As the river’s current flows faster on the outer curve of the bend, it erodes the bank, while slower currents on the inner curve lead to deposition of sediment. Over time, these processes cause the meanders to become more pronounced. Eventually, the neck of the meander can become narrower and may break, creating an oxbow lake.

An example of a meander is found along the Ganga River in India and the Mississippi River in the USA.