| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Encyclopedia of Geography |
| Editors | Warf, B. |
| Publisher | SAGE |
| Pages | 702-705 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Volume | 2 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781452265179 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781412956970 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Abstract
A delta is the landform that results where a subaerial channelized flow (e.g., a river) enters a basin of standing water (e.g., the sea, a lake). In deltaic areas, flow velocities drop and sediment transport stalls, which results in bifurcation of rivers, a downstream widening of floodplains, and the buildup of deltaic plains that make the coastline protrude. Many deltas have become densely populated today. Industrial and urban uses of deltaic areas must deal with issues of flood hazard mitigation.