tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1228690739485734684.post2722377930767365695..comments2024-03-28T00:46:01.084+00:00Comments on Stonehenge and the Ice Age: Braided rivers in IcelandBRIAN JOHNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00413447032454568083noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1228690739485734684.post-76229072027786386082014-05-28T07:40:08.213+01:002014-05-28T07:40:08.213+01:00Great explanation - thanks.Great explanation - thanks.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11218194033424506589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1228690739485734684.post-54841190385020314322014-05-27T22:06:51.335+01:002014-05-27T22:06:51.335+01:00Steve -- my understanding is that braided rivers a...Steve -- my understanding is that braided rivers and streams carry very high sediments loads -- often of boulders and cobbles -- and maintain quite steep gradients. Often there will be virtually no vegetation on a braided river plain because everything keeps on changing -- channels shift position all the time, blocked up with sediments. Then the very turbulent meltwater spils over and finds somewhere else to go. <br /><br />Anastomosing rivers or streams are multi-channeled, with many intersections and splits, as on estuaries close to sea-level. So gradients are much lower. Sediments may be much finer, and individual channels may be quite long-lived. So there may be a good vegetation cover of grassland, scrub or even forest.<br /><br />All clear?BRIAN JOHNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00413447032454568083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1228690739485734684.post-22426898991965406112014-05-27T20:50:29.772+01:002014-05-27T20:50:29.772+01:00Beautiful! Thanks for posting & crediting the ...Beautiful! Thanks for posting & crediting the pics.<br />As a geomorphologist, how would you define a braided river - as opposed to an anastomising stream?<br /><br />Steve MStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11218194033424506589noreply@blogger.com