Definition
A relatively flat, largely horizontally-bedded alluvial landform adjacent to a river channel, separated from the channel by banks which may be levéed, normally underlain by unconsolidated sediment. Terrestrial active floodplains of perennial rivers are subjected to regular flooding, usually annually (Ritter et al. 2002). Floodplains develop in many alluvial valleys, on alluvial fans and deltas. The lowland where floodplains occur is called a floodbasin (Bridge and Demicco 2012, p. 430).
Description
The surface of a floodplain is classically flat or slightly convex if channels are accompanied by levées. However at the outer margins, towards bounding hills, colluvium may elevate the level slightly. The floodplain surface can also include linear and sinuous hollows that indicate former river course (abandoned channels, palaeomeanders; oxbow lakes) as well...
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References
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Carling, P.A., Hargitai, H. (2014). Floodplain. In: Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9213-9_152-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9213-9_152-1
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