Science glossary film: Delta

A geographical feature formed where a river reaches the sea or other large body of water into which it empties. Sediment from the river is deposited over a broad, roughly triangular area, as the speed of water flow slows down. The Nile delta is a typical example; the name comes from the Greek letter Delta and its triangular shape.

Sediment from the river is deposited over a broad, roughly triangular area, as the speed of water flow slows down. The Nile delta is a typical example; the name comes from the Greek letter Delta and its triangular shape.