Drainage pattern

Drainage pattern a pattern created by stream erosion over time that reveals
characteristics of the kind of rocks and geologic structures in a landscape region
drained by streams.

Drainage pattern is the pattern formed by the streams, rivers, and lakes in a particular
drainage basin. They are governed by the topography of the land, whether a particular
region is dominated by hard or soft rocks, and the gradient of the land.

A drainage basin is the topographic region from which a stream receives runoff,
throughflow, and groundwater flow. Drainage basins are divided from each other by
topographic barriers called a watershed.

A watershed represents all of the stream tributaries that flow to some location along the
stream channel. The number, size, and shape of the drainage basins found in an area
varies and the larger the topographic map, the more information on the drainage basin
is available.

The pattern of tributaries within a drainage basin depends largely on the type of rock
beneath, and on structures within that rock (folds, fractures, faults, etc.).

Drainage patterns are formed by the process of stream incision. As streams flow over
the land, they erode the bedrock and create valleys. The tributaries to the main stream
join at the mouths of the valleys, forming the drainage pattern.

Drainage patterns can be used to map the underlying geology of an area. For example, a
dendritic drainage pattern suggests that the underlying bedrock is uniform, while a
parallel drainage pattern suggests that the underlying bedrock is folded or faulted.
Drainage patterns can also be used to map the topography of an area. For example, a
dendritic drainage pattern suggests that the slopes are gentle, while a parallel drainage
pattern suggests that the slopes are steep.

Drainage patterns can be affected by a number of factors, including climate,

vegetation, and human activity. For example, climate can affect the rate of stream
incision, vegetation can affect the amount of erosion, and human activity can change
the course of streams.

Types of drainage patterns

Dendritic drainage pattern

Dendritic drainage patterns, which are by far the most common, also known
as pinnate drainage, perhaps the most common on Earth, resembles a tree's intricate
branching structure. The defining characteristic is the branching pattern of streams.
Streams begin as small headwaters in high areas, gradually joining to form larger
tributaries, and ultimately draining into a single main river or body of water.

Unlike parallel drainage, dendritic patterns don't exhibit strictly parallel streams.
Tributaries typically join the main branch at various angles, creating a more intricate and
organic network.

This pattern is most common in areas with relatively uniform geology, where there are
no major faults, folds, or variations in rock hardness to dictate the flow direction, Such
as granite, gneiss, volcanic rock, and sedimentary rock which has not been folded (or
unconsolidated material) beneath the stream has no particular fabric or structure and
can be eroded equally easily in all directions. Truly dendritic systems form in V-shaped
valleys; as a result, the rock types must be impervious and non-porous.

Trellis drainage pattern

A trellis drainage pattern is characterized by nearly parallel main tributaries that are
joined by short, perpendicular subsequent streams. These tributaries join the main
streams at nearly right angles, creating a distinctive grid-like pattern.

Trellis drainage patterns typically develop in areas where there are alternating bands of
resistant and non-resistant rocks. The resistant rocks, such as sandstone or quartzite,
form ridges that run parallel to the folds in the rock strata. The non-resistant rocks, such
as shale or limestone, erode more easily and form valleys between the ridges. The main
tributaries of the trellis drainage pattern flow along the valleys, and the subsequent
streams flow down the sides of the ridges.

Key features of trellis drainage patterns:

• Nearly parallel main tributaries: These tributaries flow along the strike of the
rock layers, which is the direction in which the layers are oriented.

• Perpendicular subsequent streams: These streams flow down the dip of the
rock layers, which is the angle at which the layers are tilted.

• Right-angle junctions: The subsequent streams typically join the main

tributaries at right angles.

• Grid-like pattern: The overall pattern of the drainage system resembles a grid.

Rectangular drainage pattern

The rectangular drainage pattern is characterized by rivers and streams flowing in a
series of right-angled bends, creating a network that resembles a grid of rectangles.
Unlike the familiar dendritic (tree-like) or trellis (grid-like) patterns, the rectangular
pattern stands out for its sharp turns and geometric regularity.

The formation of this pattern is closely linked to the underlying rock structure,
specifically areas with:

• Joint Systems: When underlying rocks possess sets of well-defined cracks or

joints, intersecting at right angles, these joints guide the development of straight
stream segments and sharp bends, often at 90° angles.

• Fault Lines: In areas with major fault lines, streams may preferentially follow the
linear paths of the faults, resulting in straight segments and right-angled
intersections at fault junctions.
Parallel drainage pattern
Parallel drainage system is a pattern of rivers caused by steep slopes with some
relief. Because of the steep slopes, the streams are swift and straight, with very
few tributaries, and all flow in the same direction. Parallel drainage patterns form
where there is a pronounced slope to the surface.

The parallel drainage pattern is characterized by rivers and streams flowing in

roughly parallel lines over a sloping surface. Imagine a group of friends marching
in step; that's a good analogy for how these streams seem to move together.
Unlike the dendritic (tree-like) or trellis (grid-like) patterns, parallel drainage
stands out for its consistent direction and spacing of streams.

Parallel drainage pattern typically occurs in regions with pronounced slopes,

often exceeding 5 degrees. The constant downward gradient drives the parallel
flow of water, preventing significant meandering or branching.

Parallel drainage is often found in areas with uniform rock resistance, meaning
the rock erodes at a similar rate throughout the landscape. This prevents the
formation of distinct channels or valleys that might disrupt the parallel flow.
Radial drainage pattern
Radial drainage system, the streams radiate outwards from a central high point.
Develops around a central elevated point where the streams radiate outwards from a
central high point. Volcanoes usually display excellent radial drainage. Other geological
features on which radial drainage commonly develops are domes and laccoliths. On
these features the drainage may exhibit a combination of radial patterns. The tributaries
from a summit follow the slope downwards and drain down in all directions.

Radial drainage exhibits streams originating from a central high point and flowing away
in all directions. Imagine water cascading down a cone or a dome, creating diverging
streams.

This pattern typically forms in landscapes with a central high point such as:

Volcanoes, Domes, Calderas

Centripetal drainage pattern

Centripetal drainage pattern, also known as an endorheic drainage system, exhibits

a distinct hydrological characteristic: riverine and fluvial networks converge towards a
central depression instead of radiating outwards to join larger bodies of water like
oceans or lakes. This pattern is the opposite of a radial drainage pattern, where
streams diverge

Internal Drainage: Unlike exoreic drainage patterns that flow to external water bodies,
centripetal systems have closed basins with no outlet to the sea. All water from rivers
and streams ends up in the central depression.

Central Depression: This depression can be various forms, such as a sinkhole, a

closed valley, or an endorheic lake like the Dead Sea or the Caspian Sea. In some cases,
the depression may be dry for most of the year, forming a salt flat due to water
evaporation.
Deranged drainage pattern
Deranged drainage pattern, also known as disorganized drainage or chaotic drainage,
is a hydrological feature characterized by the absence of a well-defined, organized
network of rivers and streams. The configuration of streams in deranged drainage is
heavily influenced by local topography. Factors like hills, valleys, and depressions
dictate the flow paths, resulting in a patchy and unpredictable network.

This often occurs in areas with recently disturbed surfaces, such as those affected by
glaciation, volcanic activity, or landslides.

Angular drainage pattern

An angular drainage pattern is a distinctive arrangement of rivers and streams

characterized by straight stretches connected by sharp, often right-angled bends.
Imagine cracks in a tiled floor forming a network of waterways; that's a simplified
visualization of this pattern. Compared to the dendritic (tree-like) or trellis (grid-like)
patterns, angular drainage stands out for its angular intersections and rectilinear
segments.

The formation of angular drainage is closely linked to the underlying rock structure of
the landscape. Specifically, this pattern occurs in areas with:

• Joint systems: When underlying rocks possess sets of well-defined cracks or

joints, intersecting at sharp angles, these joints guide the development of
straight stream segments and sharp bends.

• Fault lines: In areas with major fault lines, streams may preferentially follow the
linear paths of the faults, resulting in straight segments and angular intersections
at fault junctions.
Annular drainage pattern

Annular Drainage Pattern- When the upland has an outer soft stratum, the radial
streams develop subsequent tributaries which try to follow a circular drainage around
the summit. It is best displayed by streams draining a maturely dissected structural
dome or basin where erosion has exposed rimming sedimentary strata of greatly varying
degrees of hardness.

The formation of an annular drainage pattern is tightly linked to the underlying rock
structure of the landscape. This pattern typically occurs in areas with:

• Domes or Basins: When sedimentary strata are exposed in a dome-shaped

structure, with layers of varying hardness, erosion preferentially occurs in the
weaker layers, creating concentric depressions and ridges. Streams follow these
contours, resulting in an annular pattern.