terrace formation

Terrace formation occurs when a river gradually erodes its banks and bed, creating step-like landforms called terraces. These features mark previous river levels, often formed during periods of climate change or sediment buildup, which temporarily slow down or pause erosion. Over time, as the river adjusts to new conditions, it cuts into its floodplain, leaving behind a terrace as a reminder of past water levels. These terraces can reveal important information about a region’s geological history and changes in landscape over thousands to millions of years.