As water flows through a river, it exerts pressure on the outer banks of the bends. This pressure leads to erosion, causing the outer banks to recede and the river to curve even further. At the same time, sediment is deposited on the inside banks of the bends where the water flow is slower. This process continues over time, resulting in the formation of meandering loops.
The size, shape, and complexity of river meanders can vary depending on the river's characteristics and the surrounding landscape. Meandering rivers often occur in relatively flat areas with gentle slopes, where the river has more freedom to move laterally. The sinuosity of a river, which is the ratio of the river's length to the straight-line distance between its source and mouth, provides a measure of how meandering a river is.
River meanders are dynamic features that can change over time in response to changes in water flow, sediment load, and other factors. They play an important role in the natural processes of erosion and deposition, as well as in creating diverse habitats for aquatic and riparian ecosystems.