What are wave-dominated Deltas?
In the most extreme cases of a wave-dominated delta, the delta is non-existent: the wave currents are so strong that they do not allow the creation of a delta, because the river sediments are carried away too quickly, before they have a chance to settle. But this is an exception. Normally, wave-dominated deltas consist primarily of broad, sandy lobes and have a smooth arched form. A good example is the Sao Francisco River in Brazil, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Strong long shore currents produce a rather smooth shoreline with only a minor protrusion at the river mouth. The delta plain is composed almost entirely of closely spaced beach ridges with wind-borne dunes. The delta shoreline is composed of large, broad sandy beaches. What are tide-dominated Deltas? Tide-dominated deltas are characterised by river mouths that quickly expand and deepen in the direction of the sea. This is the result of the large quantity of water flowing from the sea into the river twice daily. A river
