Types of River Delta

An interesting question – because even if you didn't know the answer (which I didn't) there are enough clues there to give you a good chance of guessing it.

An arcuate delta is one that's shaped like a triangle. It forms when a river meets a sea with alternating current directions. The Nile delta is an example of an arcuate delta.

A cuspate delta is one that's vaguely shaped like a letter V with curved sides. It forms when a river flows into a sea with waves that hit it head on, spreading the deposited sediment out. The delta of the Ebro river in Spain is an example of a cuspate delta.

A bird's foot delta forms when the river's current is stronger than the waves of the sea. The river carves out channels into the sea, spreading out like a bird's foot. They are quite rare; the best-known example is the Mississippi delta.

For more information, including photographs, try the Geography AS Notes website (to which I am indebted for all of this information).

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