What type of water body is formed when a river splits into several smaller channels as it approaches the sea?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Delta.
Delta. A delta is formed when a river approaches the sea and splits into several distributaries due to the deposition of sediments like silt, sand, and clay. This usually occurs in areas with gentle slopes and low tidal activity. Famous examples include the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta, the world’s largest delta, and the Nile Delta in Egypt.
Other options explained:
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Oxbow lake forms when a river meander is cut off from the main flow, creating a crescent-shaped lake.
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Estuary is a coastal water body where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea.
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Lagoon is a shallow coastal water body separated from the sea by sandbars or coral reefs.