Difference between delta and esturies

Estuary

Delta

Definition

A semi-enclosed body of water where fresh water meets the ocean

Sedimentary deposit at mouth of river due to which coastline protrudes into ocean

Types

• Coastal Plains – valleys are generally shallow with gentle sloping bottoms
• Tectonic – Formed when sea fills the basin formed by the sinking land
• Bar built – these are usually shallow with reduced tidal action
• Fjords – valleys that have been cut deeper by moving glaciers and later got invaded by the sea.

• Accurate – rounded, convex edges
• Cuspate - material uniformly distributed from the river
• Bird’s food - spread over a large area due to many distributaries of the river. Like Mississippi.

Nature

Transgressive

Regressive

Examples

Narmada and Tapi rivers form estuaries

Ganga and Brahmaputra form delta

Formed in regions

High tides and rift valleys

Low tides and coastal plants

Fertile land

It does not have fertile land

Yes

Importance

They form the wildlife habitats and even some men have also settled near to these estuaries.

Favorable for agriculture due to rich sediments. However, they are susceptible to flood.