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Constructive landforms
What is a Landform
Landforms created by crustal deformationLanforms created from volcanic activityFormation of landforms from sediment depositionWeathering factor of landformsLandforms created by erosionKinds of landformsFormation of a canyon landformformation of cape and formation of peninsulaFormation of coastline landformsFormation of continental shelf landformsFormation of a delta landformFormation of desert landformsFormation of glaciersHow do islands formHow do isthmus landforms formFormation of mountain landformsHow fo plains formHow do Plateaux landform formHow do sand dunes formHow do valleys formDestructive landforms
SUGGESTED LESSONS
class lessons pointsAquaculture
class lessons pointsClimate Change
class lessons pointsEarth System
class lessons pointsForest Preservation
class lessons pointsGlobal Water Scarcity
class lessons pointsGenetic Modification
class lessons pointsNatural Resources
class lessons pointsNon-renewable Energy
class lessons pointsOcean Acidification
class lessons pointsOzone Depletion
class lessons pointsOverfishing
class lessons pointsRenewable Energy
class lessons pointsWastewater
class lessons pointsWaste Management
How is a landform created


What is a Delta Landform?

Where do most rivers lead to —the sea! A river at its source flows fast in a fairly straight path. Before a river gets to its end, its speed is significantly reduced and begins to meander, which means it flows in a very curvy nature.

Meandering river forms delta

At this endpoint of a river, there is usually a wetland that is in the shape of a triangle when seen from above because the river separates into many smaller channels called distributaries. A distributary forms when the speed of the river is so low that, the water just cannot stay on course, but rather finds its own paths to the sea. The low speed of the river also causes it to meander (flow in curves). This sediment deposited wetland where a river meets the sea to feed into it is known as a delta.

A delta is a sediment and silt deposited landform formed by rivers in their lower course right at the point where they enter the sea.

A delta is NOT an estuary. An estuary is a body of water found at places where rivers meet the sea, whiles a delta is a landmass. Estuaries have a mix of freshwater from land and some salty sea water from the ocean.

The part of the delta that is influenced by the river’s activity is called the Upper Delta. The other side which is influenced by the oceans activity is called the Lower Delta.

A delta forms when water loses its velocity and ability to carry its load (sediments) and deposits them at the bottom of the river. With time, the sediments build up forming new land. It is important to know that not all rivers have Deltas. Deltas are only possible when the flow of the water is very slow enough for silt and sediments to be deposited.

Formation of a delta landform

There are three types of deltas: Arcuate or fan-shaped delta, Cuspate delta, and Bird’s foot Delta.

Some great examples of Deltas include:
1. The Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta in India and Bangladesh is believed to be the biggest delta network in the world.
2. The Mississippi River Delta in the USA. It provides a livelihood for people in that region, including Louisiana in the form of fishing, transport, and refineries. The delta is a great habitat for many wildlife.
3. The Nile River Delta, Egypt. The delta begins in the North of Cairo and continues into the Mediterranean sea.

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 Landform diagrams

How is a landform created

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WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN  | CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL WARMING EXPLAINED | OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
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