Delta Formation

Delta formation occurs when a river meets a larger body of water, like an ocean or lake, and slows down. When this happens, it drops the sediment it has been carrying, creating landforms shaped like a triangle or fan. Over time, layers of sediment build up, forming a delta. Deltas are rich in nutrients and often support diverse ecosystems, making them important for wildlife and human agriculture. Examples include the Nile Delta in Egypt and the Mississippi River Delta in the United States.