Question

In which stage, a river shows erosive character?

1. Youth stage
2. Mature stage
3. Old stage
4. Infant stage
Select the correct answer from the codes below:

• A. a) 1 only
  
• B. b) 1 and 2
  
• C. c) 1,2 and 4
  
• D. d) All of the above
  

Answer 1

The correct option is B b) 1 and 2


Answer: B
The course of a river has been divided into three stages- youth, mature and old. In youth stage, river has high energy and it flows from steep slopes. It has highly erosive character and forms different landforms like V-shape valley, rapids, cascades, waterfalls, pot holes, plunge pools etc. As river enters a relatively plain area, it enters into mature stage. The volume of river water increases but its speed slows down. In this stage river shows erosion and deposition simultaneously. On one end, it makes cliff bank on meanders and on the other side it makes point bars.
In its old stage where erosion stops and only deposition takes place, it makes natural levees, flood plains, braided channels, river islands and deltas.