Erosion:
* Outer Bend (Cut Bank): The water flows faster on the outside of the bend, creating a stronger current. This faster current erodes the riverbank, causing it to become steeper and deeper. This erosion is primarily caused by hydraulic action (the sheer force of water) and abrasion (the grinding action of sediment carried by the water).
* Lateral Erosion: This is the process of the river cutting sideways into its banks, gradually widening the meander.
Deposition:
* Inner Bend (Point Bar): As the water slows down on the inside of the bend, it loses energy and deposits the sediment it's carrying. This creates a gentle, sloping, sandy area called a point bar.
* Floodplains: During floods, when the river overflows its banks, it deposits sediment over a wider area, creating a flat, fertile floodplain alongside the river.
Key Points:
* Meandering Rivers Migrate: Because of the ongoing erosion and deposition, meandering rivers constantly change their course over time. They migrate across the landscape, leaving behind abandoned meanders and oxbow lakes.
* Sediment Transport: Meandering rivers play a vital role in transporting sediment from higher elevations to lower elevations, reshaping landscapes.
Simplified Explanation:
Imagine a river like a snake winding its way through the land. The outer curve of the snake is like the outer bend of the river, where the water is fast and erodes the bank. The inner curve of the snake is like the inner bend of the river, where the water slows down and deposits sediment.
