Iceland Braided River Abstract - stock photo

Aerial view from 1500 feet of braided river along southwest coast of Iceland. Braided rivers are usually wide but shallow. They typically form on fairly steep slopes and carry large amount of coarse-grained sediments. When the river’s flow decreases, these sediments get deposited on the river bed leaving behind small temporary islands of sands that cause the river’s channel to split. Aside from a steep gradient and abundance of sediments, a variable water discharge rate is essential to their formation. Consequently, braided rivers exist near mountainous regions, especially those with glaciers. Braided channels are also found in environments that dramatically decrease channel depth, and hence channel velocity, such as river deltas and alluvial fans. Abstract design is created by different temperatures and densities between glacial feed, spring water and ocean water. Dark areas indicate fairly translucent spring water. Light blue areas are glacial water which take on an opaque appearance due to sediments suspended in the water. Reds are caused by dissolved ferrous iron. Other dark areas are wet volcanic soil.