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Q39 (CAPF/2021) Geography › World Physical Geography › Weathering and erosion Answer Verified

In the course of a river, in time, which one of the following features is formed when the old meander is closed off by deposition?

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C

Explanation

An oxbow lake is a horseshoe-shaped water body formed in the lower course of a river when a meander loop is cut off from the main channel [2]. The process begins with continuous lateral erosion on the outer concave bank and deposition on the inner convex bank, which narrows the meander neck [1]. Eventually, often during a flood, the river breaches this narrow neck to take a shorter, straighter path [2]. Following this breach, ongoing deposition of sediment occurs at the ends of the abandoned loop, effectively sealing it off from the new river channel [3]. This results in an independent, stagnant water body known as an oxbow lake [3]. In contrast, potholes are erosional features in the riverbed, levees are raised banks formed by overbank deposition, and floodplains are broad flat areas adjacent to the river [4].

Sources

  1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Landforms and their Evolution > Meanders > p. 51
  2. [2] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 5: Landforms made by Running Water > THE LOWER OR PLAIN COURSE > p. 53
  3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Oxbow Lake > p. 200
  4. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 16: Fluvial Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Meanders > p. 199
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2014 · Q40 Relevance score: 1.69

Arrange the following features formed by rivers in its course starting from upstream: 1. Meanders 2. Falls 3. Delta 4. Oxbow Lake Select the correct answer using the code given below:

CDS-I · 2024 · Q79 Relevance score: 0.41

Which of the following statements regarding river meanders is/are correct? 1. It is a U-shaped bend in a river. 2. An extremely tight meander is called a gooseneck; it is likely to become a cutoff, or oxbow lake, after a flood. 3. Tectonic uplift can cause a river to continue downcutting along its meandering course, leading to incised or entrenched meanders. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

CDS-II · 2010 · Q112 Relevance score: -1.69

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the following topographical features found from upper to lower course of a river ?

CDS-I · 2018 · Q13 Relevance score: -2.69

Statement I: Incised meanders are formed in the mature stage of a river.

Statement II: Incised meanders are characterized by rejuvenation and upliftment of land.

CDS-I · 2011 · Q104 Relevance score: -5.34

Which of the following best explain why the lower course of a river is sometimes choked with sediments? 1. The valley of a river is widest in its lower course. 2. The velocity of a river in its lower course is low. 3. The delta sometimes develops in a rivers lower course. 4. Much of the river water is drawn for irrigation in the lower course. Select the correct answer using the code given below : Code :