What is a branch of a river that flows away from the main river channel called?
a) Tributary
b) Distributary
c) Glacier
d) Lagoon
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Answer: b) Distributary
Explanation
- Distributary: A branch or stream that diverges and flows away from the main river channel without rejoining it. Distributaries typically form near the river’s mouth or delta where the river’s gradient flattens and silt deposition causes the channel to split into smaller waterways (e.g., the Hooghly River is a major distributary of the Ganga).
Overview of Other Options
- a) Tributary: A smaller river or stream that flows into and joins a larger main river (e.g., the Yamuna joining the Ganga).
- c) Glacier: A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow over many years (e.g., Siachen Glacier, Gangotri Glacier).
- d) Lagoon: A shallow body of saltwater separated from the sea by a low sandbank, coral reef, or barrier island (e.g., Chilika Lake in Odisha, Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh).
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