The evolution of meandering and anabranching rivers in postglacial and loess landscapes of Europe

Bibliographic Data

ID12265200
AuthorsMarcin Słowik (0000-0001-8376-3414, Institute of Geology, Geohazards Research Unit, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume33
Issue2
Pages208-230
Publication date2022-11-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Holocene (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-6836 • E-ISSN: 1477-0911
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/09596836221131712
OpenAlexW4308569739
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited87

This study aims to explain the influence of sediments and landforms of postglacial and loess landscapes of Europe on processes forming meandering and anabranching rivers. Based on a literature review, sedimentary architecture, types and grain-size of deposits, and channel planform changes since the Late Pleniglacial were collected for extensive set of European rivers. These data were used to create a conceptual model explaining the evolution of meandering and anabranching rivers in both types of landscape. The present study shows that the inheritance of glacial and fluvioglacial landforms and sediments, and loess formation, influence types of processes forming anabranching and meandering rivers. Point bar accretion formed meandering rivers in postglacial zone whereas oblique accretion dominated in loess areas. Anabranching rivers of postglacial zone evolved through the formation of crevasse channels and meandering anabranches. Anabranching rivers of loess zone formed sustained bifurcations. Postglacial and loess rivers reacted differently to increased deposition and humidity in the Late-Holocene. Meanders of postglacial zone formed channel bars owing to increase in stream power and sediment load. In cases of flow energy decrease, and sustained upstream sediment delivery, they turned into anastomosing rivers. Anabranching rivers in ice-marginal valleys maintained its courses until hydro technical works in the 19th century. Low-energy meandering rivers of loess areas became wetlands owing to deposition of silts. High-energy meandering and anabranching rivers maintained the planforms throughout the Holocene. These findings need to be refined by detailed studies on the evolution of rivers in subarctic zone, and large rivers of Europe

Crevasse · Fluvial · Geomorphology · Glacial period · Holocene · Landform · Loess · Sedimentary rock · Structural basin · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research · Hydrology and Sediment Transport Processes · Soil erosion and sediment transport · Geology · Paleontology