When rivers flow into the ocean, they can form deltas through the processes of erosion and deposition. Deltas are landforms created where a river deposits sediment carried downstream into the ocean or a lake. Here's how erosion and deposition contribute to the formation of deltas:
1. **Erosion**: The river erodes the land upstream, carrying sediment like rocks, sand, and silt downstream. This erosion can happen through the force of the flowing water, which picks up and carries the sediment along.
2. **Deposition**: As the river reaches the ocean or a lake, its speed slows down, causing it to deposit the sediment it was carrying. This deposited sediment accumulates over time, forming a delta. Deltas often have intricate networks of channels and landforms due to the deposition of sediment in different areas.
In summary, the two key processes involved in forming deltas are erosion (the wearing away of land and transportation of sediment) and deposition (the settling of sediment in a new location). These processes work together to shape the distinctive features of deltas and create diverse habitats in these unique environments.
