In the alluvial plains of the Ganga, which of the following physical features will NOT be found?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: (2) Rapids
Explanation:
Rapids are a characteristic feature of the youthful stage of a river, found primarily in mountainous regions where the gradient is very steep. When a river enters the alluvial plains (the mature/plain stage)—such as the Gangetic plains—its velocity decreases, and it begins the process of deposition. In the plains, the river forms meanders (sinuous curves), which later get cut off to form oxbow lakes.
Rivers like the Ganges and the Brahmaputra also form braided channels in their lower courses, where sandbars divide the water flow into multiple streams. Rapids, waterfalls, and 'V'-shaped valleys are characteristic features of the mountainous course, whereas floodplains, meanders, and deltas are the dominant landforms found in the plains.
Additional Points:
Meanders: The winding course of a river formed due to a gentle gradient.
Oxbow Lake: When a river straightens its course, the abandoned meander loop becomes a lake.
Bhabar and Terai: As rivers descend from the Himalayas, they first form the Bhabar (a rocky tract) and subsequently the Terai (a marshy tract).
Potential Exam Questions and Answers:
Question: Which rivers form the 'Sundarbans Delta'—the largest delta in the world?
Answer: The Ganges and the Brahmaputra.
Question: In which stage of a river's course are 'V'-shaped valleys formed?
Answer: The youthful stage.