River delta facts for kids
A river delta is a landform created by deposition of sediment that is carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or stagnant water. This occurs where a river enters an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, or (more rarely) another river that cannot carry away the supplied sediment. The size and shape of a delta is controlled by the balance between watershed processes that supply sediment, and receiving basin processes that redistribute, sequester, and export that sediment. The size, geometry, and location of the receiving basin also plays an important role in delta evolution. River deltas are important in human civilization, as they are major agricultural production centers and population centers. They can provide coastline defense and can impact drinking water supply. They are also ecologically important, with different species' assemblages depending on their landscape position.
Images for kids
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Lower Mississippi River land loss over time
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The Ebre River delta at the Mediterranean Sea
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The Ganges Delta in India and Bangladesh is the largest delta in the world and it is also one of the most fertile regions in the world.
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Delta in Ismenius Lacus quadrangle, as seen by THEMIS.
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Delta in Lunae Palus quadrangle, as seen by THEMIS.
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Delta in Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle as seen by THEMIS.
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Probable delta in Eberswalde crater, as seen by Mars Global Surveyor. Image in Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle.
