Landforms made by Deposition

Deltas Deltas occur at the end of a river. The end of a river is usually a large body of water such as a lake, bay, ocean or gulf.

Mississippi River Delta Notice the sediment that is flowing down the river and out into the Gulf of Mexico. This sediment is building the delta.

Nile River Delta Typical delta shape - like a triangle.

Sandbar Sandbars happen on the sides of the river. As the river slows down, it allows the heavier sediment to drop out of the water and deposits it in the sandbar.

Sandbars Sandbars can be large and long lasting. This one was named in 1898 Whitaker’s Point and has stayed in place since then.

Alluvial Fan This landform is shaped like a delta. It happens when rainwater from the mountains runs through a canyon. The deposits are left in the valley rather than the ocean.

Alluvial Fan This alluvial fan is in Death Valley, California. Notice the road that has been built around it.

Death Valley, Ca. Death Valley, Ca. is a valley with no outlet. The water that comes into the valley can not get out. It just evaporates leaving white deposits of minerals.

Death Valley The white deposits are sodium borate. This chemical poisons the small ponds that are formed and so no animals or plants can live there.