Which lake does not flow into any river. The Red Sea is a gigantic layer of water, shrouded in secrets and legends. Unique rivers of the world - Blue rivers, icy banks

You can see where the Red Sea is on the map above. The sea is located between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa in a tectonic basin. Through the Suez Canal in the north the sea connects with the Mediterranean, in the south the sea exits into the Indian Ocean.

The saltiest sea in the world

Of all the seas, the Red Sea is the saltiest, yes, surprisingly, but it is believed that it is saltier than even the Dead Sea. This happens due to the fact that the Dead Sea is closed, and the Red Sea has an influx of salt water through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait where it connects with Indian Ocean and at the same time, in a hot climate, it has evaporation from the surface of about 2000 mm per year with precipitation of only about 100 millimeters.

A sea into which no river flows

In addition to the hot climate, the Red Sea has one more feature - not a single river flows into the sea, but it is the rivers that carry fresh water to the seas. These are the main factors due to which the Red Sea is considered the most salty sea In the world, in one year, 1000 cubic kilometers of water enter the Red Sea more than flows out of it.

One liter of Red Sea seawater contains about 41 grams of salt. Although in the depths of the sea there are places where there are more than 260 grams of salt per liter. The maximum depth of the sea, according to various estimates, does not exceed three kilometers, officially 2211 meters.

WAYWAY RESERVOIRS

Lost Lakes

The lakes are very curious, as if they are playing hide and seek, then disappearing from the face of the earth, then appearing again. In the spring, thanks to the abundance of meltwater, they overflow, and in the summer they begin to shallow and suddenly disappear completely. There are several such reservoirs in our country - in the area between Lakes Onega and White, as well as in Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod and Leningrad regions. In spring and early summer, these reservoirs are no different from their counterparts. Although if you look closely, in completely calm weather, when the surface of ordinary lakes is calm, it ripples and worries, and closer to the center something like a whirlpool appears. This happens because at the bottom of reservoirs there are deep funnel-shaped holes into which water flows into a spiral.

After a flood, when the influx of meltwater weakens, the water level in these lakes drops. They quickly become shallow: first, islands appear and grow, then the bottom is exposed. And finally there comes a time when the reservoirs simply disappear. In the driest years, people graze livestock and mow grass in their place.

The most famous of the disappearing reservoirs are Shimozero, Kushtozero and Sukhoe. The first disappears in August, the second in July, the third in September. Lake Sukhoe, for example, is connected by an underground passage with Ilmen, and Kushtozero with Onega. It happened that a pike released in Sukhoi with an earring or a radio sensor was later caught in Ilmen.

Scientists explain the disappearance of such lakes by purely geological reasons. These reservoirs are located in the area karst caves and feed underground lakes, as well as various springs and springs. Sometimes a collapse occurs at the site of the sinkholes, and then the “drain” becomes clogged. In such cases, reservoirs can exist unchanged for several years, but in the end the water still dissolves the limestone and dolomite rocks and washes a new path into the underground.

Unusual content

Some of the natural lakes are filled with such unusual contents that one can only marvel at the vagaries of nature. Take, for example, Lake Trinidad, located fifty kilometers from the northern part of Venezuela, near the settlement of La Brea, and filled with... real asphalt. The lake is located in the crater of the former mud volcano, its depth is 90 meters, and its area is 46 hectares. Coming out of the bowels of the earth through the mouth of a volcano, lying on great depths oil loses volatile substances, as a result of which it turns into asphalt. All this happens in the center of the lake basin, in a place called Mother Lake. Up to 150 thousand tons of asphalt used for construction needs are mined in Mother Lake, but its reserves are inexhaustible.

A person can calmly walk on the surface of the lake, with the exception of its center, without fear of perishing in the viscous mass. But you cannot stay for a long time and linger in one place without moving: the thickness of the asphalt begins to tighten. Any object left on the surface of the lake disappears after some time into the black abyss. Scientists who explored the depths of the asphalt lake discovered a whole cemetery of prehistoric animals - the bones of mastodons that became extinct during the Ice Age, and even the remains of ancient lizards.

There are also reserves of asphalt in the Dead Sea, famous for its healing properties. Many people know about its extreme salinity and unique composition of water, but not everyone has ever heard of asphalt deposits. Accumulations of asphalt, resembling resin in appearance, float to the surface from time to time and are thrown ashore by waves. Asphalt mining in the Dead Sea has been going on since ancient times. It is used in various industries: for building roads, tarring ships, producing all kinds of chemical products... Until the middle of the 20th century, it was believed that the region Dead Sea- practically the only supplier of asphalt in the whole world, and only in the 50s of the last century new deposits were discovered and developed.

The hottest and most explosive

Near the Red Sea, on the Sinai Peninsula, there is one amazing lake. It is separated from the sea by a wide bridge of fossilized shell rock. The upper layers of the lake are inhabited by sea ​​fish and other representatives of fauna, bluish-green algae grow in shallow water. What is surprising about this lake is its temperature. At the surface, the water temperature almost all year round is invariably +16°C; at a depth of 6 meters or more it ranges from +48°C in winter to +60°C in summer. Because of this, all living creatures prefer to settle in the upper layer. The upper and lower tiers also differ in salinity: at the top it is 42-43 ppm, and near the bottom it is twice as saturated. There are other hot and salty lakes in the world, but none of them have such an amazing vertical distribution of salinity and temperature.

The warmest body of water in the land of eternal frost is located in Antarctica. The thickness of the ice covering Lake Vanda is 4 meters. Directly below the ice the water is fresh, but at depth it is already salty. Even in the most severe frosts, reaching -50-70°C, the water temperature under the ice does not fall below +6°C, and at the bottom (at a 70-meter depth) it is +25-28°C, as if in some south sea. The most amazing thing is that there are no hot springs at the bottom of this reservoir! Wanda's secret, according to scientists, is that the lake is a kind of giant thermos. Its crystal clear and transparent waters, which are free of any microorganisms, are well warmed by the sun through a lens of ice that refracts the sun's rays. The warmest are deep waters, which, due to their salinity, greater density and heaviness, remain below and do not mix with the upper layers.

The beautiful Lake Bosumtwi is located in the Republic of Ghana, in the tropical African forests, 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Kumasi. It is known as the most unpredictable body of water in the world. Bosumtwi has the shape of a perfect circle, as if someone drew a circle with a gigantic compass and dug a hole here about 400 meters deep and 7 kilometers in diameter. The color of the water in the lake is bluish; in some places along the shores the jungle opens up and forms clearings where small settlements are located. Several mountain streams flow into the lake, but not a single river flows out of it. Apparently, this is why the water level in it is steadily rising, gradually flooding the villages located on the shore. But most of all, Bosumtwi shocks people with his explosive temper. For many months it remains quiet and calm, when suddenly it suddenly explodes: in its depths, it’s as if a giant air bubble is bursting, huge cascades of water fly up, the surface of the lake boils and rages. Gradually Bosumtwi calms down.

Because of such explosions, many fish die, and the natives collect the prey with nets. Scientists believe that the explosions are caused by bottom sediments in which organic matter decays. The released gases accumulate to the maximum limit, and then violently burst out of the depths of the lake.

For geographers, Bosumtwi is a real mystery. Some researchers believe that the lake was formed as a result of a giant meteorite falling to Earth, others adhere to the hypothesis of an explosion of antimatter that did not leave behind any fragments or debris. And finally, the most plausible version is the formation of Bosumtwi as a result volcanic activity. It is likely that the lake, located in a mountainous region, occupies the bottom of a destroyed volcanic cone that existed in ancient times.

Hiding the secret of origin

Lake Mogilnoe, located on Kildin Island near Kola Peninsula, is considered the most “layered” body of water in the world. The height of the water in it is slightly higher than sea level, despite the fact that it is separated from the sea only by a gravel-sand bridge. Resembling a layer cake, the reservoir is divided into five completely independent, different tiers-floors. The lowest tier, located at a depth of 17-18 meters, is filled with liquid silt. Organic residues coming from the upper floors rot here. This layer is dead, deprived of oxygen, but in large quantities hydrogen sulfide is present there. The only inhabitants of the first tier are some types of bacteria. On the second floor there is eternal twilight, the water is saturated with purple-tinged bacteria, coloring it cherry pink. These bacteria actively absorb and oxidize hydrogen sulfide coming from below, so that the deadly gas does not pass into the upper tiers.

In the third layer from the bottom, life is in full swing. There is a presence on this floor sea ​​stars, hedgehogs and crustaceans, as well as a special type of cod called Kildin cod in honor of the island. The fourth floor is a transition zone, the water in it is moderately brackish, there are no marine inhabitants. But the fifth, topmost tier is filled with fresh (!) water, cold and clear. Numerous inhabitants live there, typical of Arctic reservoirs. Lake Mogilny is one of the oldest. It has survived several geological eras and has preserved some species of living creatures that long ago disappeared in the neighboring Barents Sea. Researchers still do not know how this lake came into being and why it is divided into layers.

There is also the most lifeless body of water on the territory of Russia, in which, it would seem, there are excellent conditions for the existence of all kinds of living creatures. This is Lake Pustoe, located in the Kuznetsk Alatau region. All the reservoirs around are teeming with fish, but in Empty there is nothing, despite the fact that the lakes are connected by rivers. Researchers have repeatedly tried to populate the strange reservoir with various species of fish, giving preference to the most unpretentious ones, but nothing came of it: the fish did not take root. The empty remained empty. And no one can explain how this mysterious body of water came into being and why it is still devoid of all life.

But the most dangerous body of water on our planet is rightfully considered the Lake of Death, located on the island of Sicily. All its shores and waters are devoid of any vegetation or living creatures, and swimming in it is deadly. Any living creature that falls into this terrible lake dies instantly. As soon as a curious person sticks his hand or foot into the water, he immediately feels a strong burning sensation, after which, withdrawing the limb, he watches in horror as the skin becomes covered with blisters and burns. The chemists who analyzed the contents of the lake were quite surprised. The water of Death Lake contains sulfuric acid in quite high concentrations. In this regard, scientists have put forward several hypotheses, for example, that the lake dissolves some unknown rocks and, as a result, becomes enriched with acids. However, research has confirmed another version. It turned out that two sources located at its bottom emit concentrated sulfuric acid into the Lake of Death.

In Algeria, near the city of Sidi Bel Abbes, there is natural lake, filled with real... ink. It is clear that there are no fish or plants in the reservoir, since the ink is poisonous and is only suitable for writing with. For a long time, people could not understand how a substance so unusual for a body of water arises, and recently scientists have finally figured out the reason for this phenomenon. One of the rivers flowing into the lake contains great amount dissolved iron salts, and in the other - all kinds of organic compounds, many of which were borrowed from peat bogs located in the river valley. Merging together into a lake basin, the streams interact with each other, and ink is formed in the course of constantly occurring chemical reactions. Some local residents consider the black lake a devilish undertaking, while others, on the contrary, try to benefit from it. That's why it has half a dozen names. Among the most famous are Devil's Eye, Black Lake and Inkwell. Well, ink from it is sold in stationery stores not only in Algeria, but also in many other countries.

From the book Inhabitants of Reservoirs author Lasukov Roman Yurievich

What types of bodies of water are there? Lake A lake is a resting or slowly flowing significant mass of water in a natural depression of land that does not have direct contact with the sea. Stratification of lakes. Stratification is the formation of layers of water with different densities and

From the author's book

Temporary reservoirs Temporary reservoirs include minor accumulations of water that appear periodically and disappear relatively quickly. They are formed in the depressions of the land after snow melts, river flood waters recede, or as a result of the accumulation of rainwater.

When we hear the word “lake”, a picture appears in our imagination - a wonderful place to relax, where you can swim and fish. However, this is not always the case. Some lakes inspire fear and horror. And there are reasons for this.

Lake Pustoe (Russia)

Its location is the Kuznetsk Alatau region located in Western Siberia. Lake Pustoe is a fresh and environmentally friendly reservoir of continental origin, because it is completely free of chemicals. Many scientists have repeatedly conducted studies of water from the lake, which have never confirmed the presence of any toxic components in it.

The lake has clean water that is suitable for drinking and resembles champagne, as it is dominated by completely safe bubbles of natural gases. However, researchers were unable to determine the reason why there was no fish in the lake.

In the vicinity of Lake Empty there has never been environmental disasters and emergency technical incidents that pollute the reservoir. The chemical composition of its water does not differ from the nearest reservoirs of the reserve, which are distinguished by an abundance of fish resources. Moreover, the reservoir feeds several fresh, clean reservoirs in the vicinity; the fact that there is fish in them will add special mystery to what is happening in these dreams.

There have been several attempts to introduce unpretentious fish species such as pike, perch and crucian carp into the reservoir. Each of them ended in failure, the fish died, the aquatic plants rotted. And today there is no grass or birds on the banks of the reservoir, there are no fish or fry in the water, the lake guards its mysteries.

Why are there no fish in the lake?

Samples from the Kuznetsk reservoir were studied by chemists from the USA, Great Britain and Germany. However, no one was able to put forward a sensible version explaining the lack of fish in the reservoir. Scientists are not yet able to answer the questions of ordinary people about what is happening to the Kuznetsk reservoir.

However, scientists repeat attempts to explain the extraordinary phenomenon of Empty Lake with enviable frequency. Visit the shores unusual lake there are many people interested, tourists come here and stay overnight. Some of them dream of touching the mystery of nature and unraveling it.

Lake of Death (Italy)


Our world is amazing and beautiful, its nature can be endlessly admired and enjoyed. But besides this, there are places on our Earth that sometimes lead us to bewilderment. Among such places is the Lake of Death on the island of Sicily. This lake can be considered one of the phenomena and unique natural phenomena. The name itself suggests that this lake is deadly for all living things. Any living organism that gets into this lake will inevitably die.

This lake is the most dangerous on our planet. The lake is absolutely lifeless and there are no living organisms in it. The shores of the lake are deserted and lifeless; nothing grows here. Everything is connected with the fact that any living creature that enters the aquatic environment immediately dies. If a person decides to swim in this lake, he will literally dissolve in the lake in a few minutes.

When information about this place appeared in the scientific world, a scientific expedition was immediately sent there to study this phenomenon. The lake revealed its secrets with great difficulty. Water analyzes showed that the lake’s aquatic environment contains a large amount of concentrated sulfuric acid. Scientists were not immediately able to figure out where the sulfuric acid comes from in the lake. Scientists have put forward several hypotheses about this.

The first hypothesis stated that at the bottom of the lake there are rocks that, when washed away by water, become enriched with acid. But further study of the lake showed that at the bottom of the lake there are two sources that release concentrated sulfuric acid into the lake’s water environment. This explains why any organic matter dissolves in the lake.

Dead Lake (Kazakhstan)


There is an anomalous lake in Kazakhstan that attracts the attention of many people. It is located in the Taldykurgan region, the village of Gerasimovka. Its dimensions are not large, only 100x60 meters. This body of water is called Dead. The fact is that there is nothing in the lake, neither algae nor fish. The water there is unusually icy.

Low water temperatures remain even when there is intense sunshine outside. People drown there all the time. For some unknown reason, scuba divers begin to choke after three minutes of diving. Locals do not advise anyone to go there, and they themselves bypass it anomalous place.

Blue Lake (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia)


Blue karst abyss in Kabardino-Balkaria. Not a single river or stream flows into this lake, although it loses up to 70 million liters of water every day, but its volume and depth do not change at all. The blue color of the lake is due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide in the water. There are no fish here at all.

What makes this lake creepy is the fact that no one has been able to figure out its depth. The fact is that the bottom consists of an extensive system of caves. Researchers have still not been able to figure out what the lowest point of this karst lake is. It is believed that under Blue lake The world's largest underwater cave system.

Boiling Lake (Dominican Republic)


The name speaks for itself. Located in Dominica, the beautiful Caribbean, this lake is actually the second largest natural hot spring on the ground. The temperature of the water in the boiling lake reaches 90 degrees Celsius and there is hardly anyone who wants to test the temperature of the source on their own skin. Just look at the photographs and it becomes clear that the water here is practically boiling. The temperature cannot be regulated because it is the result of a crack in the bottom of the lake through which hot lava erupts.

Lake Powell (USA)


Despite its common name (Horseshoe), located near the town of Mammoth Lakes, Lake Powell is a terrifying killer. The city of Mammoth Lakes was built on top of active volcano, but this is not best location. However, for many years the lake was considered safe. But about 20 years ago, the trees around Horseshoe suddenly began to dry out and die.

After ruling out all possible diseases, scientists decided that the trees were being suffocated by excessive levels of carbon dioxide slowly seeping through the ground from underground chambers of cooling magma. In 2006, three tourists took refuge in a cave near the lake and suffocated from carbon dioxide.

Lake Karachay (Russia)


Located in beautiful Ural mountains Russia, this dark blue lake is one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. During a secret government project, the lake was used as a dump site for radioactive waste for many years beginning in 1951.

This place is so toxic that a 5-minute visit can make a person sick, and a longer visit of an hour is guaranteed to be fatal. During a drought in 1961, the wind carried toxic dust that affected 500,000 people - a tragedy comparable to atomic bomb, dropped on Hiroshima. It is definitely one of the most polluted places on Earth.

Lake Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo)


This lake is located on the border between Democratic Republic Congo and Rwanda, with large layers of carbon dioxide at the base of the volcanic rock, as well as 55 billion cubic meters of methane at the bottom. This explosive combination makes Lake Kivu the deadliest of the world's three explosive lakes. Any earthquake or volcanic activity could pose a lethal threat to the 2 million people living in this region. They can die from both methane explosions and carbon dioxide suffocation.

Lake Michigan (Canada)


Of the five Great Lakes on the border of Canada and the United States, Lake Michigan is the deadliest. Warm, attractive lake - popular place recreation for numerous tourists, despite its dangerous undercurrents, which claim at least several lives every year.

The shape of Lake Michigan makes it particularly susceptible to dangerous currents that arise spontaneously and abruptly. The lake becomes more dangerous in the fall, October and November, when sudden and significant changes in water and air temperatures occur. The height of the waves can reach several meters.

Mono Lake (USA)


One of the most developed ecosystems in the world, Mono Lake is located in the county of the same name in California. This ancient salt lake there are no fish, but trillions of bacteria and small algae thrive in it unique waters. Up until 1941 this is amazing beautiful lake was healthy and strong. But Los Angeles, which was just beginning its giant growth spurt, stepped in. The city drained the tributaries of the lake, which began to dry up.

This is a scandalous destruction natural resources continued for almost 50 years and when it was stopped in 1990, Mono Lake had already lost half its volume and its salinity had doubled. Mono has become a toxic alkaline lake filled with carbonates, chlorides and sulfates. Los Angeles has decided to correct its mistake, but the restoration project will take decades.

Lake Manoun (Cameroon)


Located in the Oku Volcanic Field in Cameroon, Lake Monoun appears to be a completely normal body of water. But its appearance is deceiving, as it is one of three explosive lakes on earth. In 1984, Monun exploded without warning, releasing a cloud of carbon dioxide and killing 37 people. Twelve of the dead were riding in a truck and stopped to watch the aftermath of the explosion. It was at this moment that the lethal gas did its job.

Lake Nyos (Cameroon)


In 1986, Lake Nyos, located just 100 kilometers from Lake Monun, exploded following a magma eruption and released carbon dioxide, converting the water into carbonic acid. As a result of a massive landslide, the lake abruptly released a giant cloud of carbon dioxide, killing thousands of people and animals in local cities and villages. The tragedy was the first known major suffocation caused by natural phenomenon. The lake continues to pose a threat because its natural wall is fragile and even the slightest earthquake can destroy it.

Natron (Tanzania)


Lake Natron in Tanzania not only kills its inhabitants, but also mummifies their bodies. On the shores of the lake there are mummified flamingos, small birds, and bats. The creepiest thing is that the victims freeze in natural poses with their heads raised. It was as if they froze for a moment and remained that way forever. The water in the lake is bright red due to the microorganisms living in it, closer to the shore it is already orange, and in some places it is a normal color.

The evaporation of the lake repels large predators, and the absence of natural enemies attracts a huge number of birds and small animals. They live on the banks of the Natron, reproduce, and after death they are mummified. A large amount of hydrogen contained in water and increased alkalinity contribute to the release of soda, salt and lime. They prevent the remains of the inhabitants of the lake from decomposing.

The Okavango River flows on the African continent through Angola, Namibia and Botswana. It is interesting because it does not flow anywhere. For 1600 kilometers, it carries its waters not to the ocean, sea or lake. The Okavango forms a vast delta, spreading over the surrounding area and dissolving into the swamp. It is also interesting that this swampy lowland is located in the northwest of the Kalahari Desert. An incredible combination of swamp and desert. The Okavango Delta is the most extensive inland delta in the world. The view of it from above amazes with its beauty and originality.

The Okavango originates in the mountains of Angola, but in that country it is called Cubango. Then it flows to the southeast and, reaching the Makgadikgadi depression in Botswana, overflows, forming a vast swamp. Scientists believe that 10,000 years ago the Okavango River had a completely ordinary delta, flowing into ancient lake Makgadikgadi. But over time, this body of water dried up, leaving behind several salt lakes that exist only during the rainy season and for a short time after it. And the Okavango still carries its waters in the usual direction, only there is nowhere for it to flow - there is desert all around. Kalahari Desert.

The Kalahari is the largest desert in Africa south of the equator. Its area is already 600,000 square kilometers, and it continues to increase. Contrary to popular belief, deserts are not just hot sand and lack of rain. Deserts include areas where the annual precipitation does not exceed 250-300 millimeters, and this amount is significantly less than the moisture spent on evaporation. That is, rains are even possible there, as, for example, in the Kalahari, where the rainy season begins in the summer. The fauna of this desert is quite diverse. In addition to lizards and snakes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, rhinoceroses, giraffes, antelopes and zebras live here. But greatest variety reaches animal world in the swamps that the Okavango forms.


The Okavango Delta is not only unusual geographical object, but also a unique biosystem. In these impassable swamps, hundreds of species of various animals, including very rare and unusual ones, have a wonderful home. Thanks to the swamp, dense thickets of papyrus and water lilies, this region has been preserved almost in its original form. There are few people here local residents, tourists and photographers. They travel here only on narrow small boats; there is simply no other way to get through the reed thickets. Interesting ungulates that have adapted to life in swamps live here: sitatunga antelope, swamp goats, red lychees. There are also lions and cheetahs here, which are accustomed to swamp life. The Okavango Delta has a very rich and diverse world of waterbirds.

And all this magnificent diversity on the edge of the desert is only possible thanks to the Okavango, an amazing river that dissolves into the sands, giving life.

Having a natural origin and characterized by a constant directional flow. It can start from a spring, a small pond, a lake, a swamp or a melting glacier. It usually ends by flowing into another larger body of water.

The source and mouth of a river are its essential components. The place where it ends its path is usually easy to see, and the beginning is often determined only conditionally. Depending on the terrain and the type of reservoirs into which rivers flow, their mouths may have differences and characteristic features.

Terminology

From source to mouth, the river flows in a channel - a depression in the earth's surface. It is washed away by a stream of water. The mouth of a river is its end, and the source is its beginning. The land surface along the flow has a downward slope. This area is defined as a river valley or basin. They are separated from each other by watersheds - hills. During floods, water spreads into depressions - floodplains.

All rivers are divided into lowland and mountain. The former are characterized by a wide channel with a slow flow, while the latter are characterized by a narrower channel with a fast water flow. In addition to the primary source, rivers are fed by precipitation, groundwater and melt water, and other smaller streams. They form tributaries. They are divided into right and left, determined along the flow. All streams that collect water in a valley from source to mouth form a river system.

In line they distinguish deep places(reaches), holes in them (pools) and shallows (rifts). The banks (right and left) limit the water flow. If during floods the river finds a shorter path, then in the same place an oxbow lake or a secondary channel (branch) ending in a dead end is formed, which connects downstream with the main stream.

Mountain rivers often form waterfalls. These are ledges with a sharp difference in height of the earth's surface. In valleys near rivers with wide channels, islands can form - parts of land with or without vegetation.

Source

Finding the beginning of a river can sometimes be difficult. Especially if it flows in a swampy area and takes water from many of the same type of fickle streams or springs. In this case, the beginning should be taken as the area where the current forms a permanent channel.

It is easier to determine the origin of a river if it starts from a pond, lake or glacier. Sometimes two independent large water flow, having their own names, are connected together and then have one channel throughout. The neoplasm has its own name, but the point of confluence cannot be considered the source.

The Katun River, for example, connects with the Biya, which is similar in size. For both, the point of confluence will be their mouths. From this place the river already bears a new name - Ob. However, its source will be considered to be the place where the longer of these two tributaries originates. The confluence of the Argun and Shilka rivers seems to give rise to the Amur, but to say that this is its source is incorrect. At this point, two rivers merge to form a new name (toponym).

Estuary

All rivers flow into a larger body of water. The places where they merge are easily determined. It could be more large river, lake, reservoir, sea or ocean. For each case, the mouth will have its own characteristics.

In rare cases, the mouth of a river is where it ends, spreading over the surface without any new formation. Often the earth's surface in such areas has a minimal or reverse slope. In this case, the water slows down, seeps into the soil or evaporates (dry mouth). It also happens that its demand in certain regions is excessively high. Water is taken for irrigation, drinking or other needs.

Taking this into account, an estuary is a section of a river where it flows into another larger body of water, ends up drying up naturally, or is used for consumer needs.

In addition to the usual confluence of rivers, deltas and estuaries are distinguished separately. They differ in the degree of manifestation of sedimentary rocks at the junction of the riverbed and the reservoir. Deltas are characteristic of rivers flowing into lakes, reservoirs and closed continental-type seas. They are formed by several branches and ducts.

On the coasts of oceans and open seas, the river is affected by ebbs and flows. Streams of salt water prevent silt deposits from being deposited, the depth remains constant, and wide estuaries are formed.

At the mouths of rivers there is often a long bay - a lip. It is a continuation of the channel, stretches to the very point of confluence and has a large width. The estuary, unlike the bay, is also a bay, but shallower due to the deposited silt deposits. It is often separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. Formed due to flooding of low-lying coastal areas.

Delta

The name comes from the time of the historian Herodotus. Seeing the branched mouth of the Nile River, he called it a delta, since the outline of the area resembled the letter of the same name. This type of river mouth is a triangular formation consisting of several branches branching from the main channel.

It is formed in areas where a large amount of sediment is transported downstream by river flow. At the confluence, the flow slows down and particles of silt, sand, small gravel and other debris settle to the bottom of the riverbed. Gradually its level rises and islands form.

The water flow is looking for new passage ways. The river level rises, it overflows its banks, flooding and developing adjacent areas with the formation of new branches, channels and islands. The process of settling of transported particles continues in a new place - the mouth continues to expand.

There are active deltas characterized by abundant sedimentary processes. They are formed under the influence of counter flows of fresh and sea water. Internal deltas, in fact, are not such and can be located far from the mouth upstream of the river. They also have branching branches and ducts, but they then merge into a single channel.

Estuary

If a river carries an insufficient amount of sediment into the sea or ocean, a delta does not form at its mouth. The influence of ebb and flow of tides also does not contribute to this. IN open seas and oceans where rivers flow, salty water, entering their mouths, forms a powerful stream and wave, which in some cases can go several kilometers deep, changing the direction of the main current. During low tides, the backflow of heavy seawater removes all sediment particles.

An estuary is a greatly expanded mouth of a river. Unlike the delta, it has an ever-increasing depth and a pronounced wedge-shaped shape. The stronger the impact of the tidal wave on the banks of the river, the more distinct the outlines of the estuary.

 

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