As they migrate, meandering streams erode their out outside banks, often forming a narrow neck of land that eventually erodes through and forms a ________ and the stream becomes ________.
A) meander scar; narrower
B) cutoff; straighter
C) cutback; more sinuous
D) point bar; wider

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a meandering stream erodes through the narrow neck of land, it creates a cutoff, which is a new channel that is straighter and shorter than the original meandering channel. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because a meander scar is a feature left behind after a meander loop is abandoned, but it doesn't necessarily make the stream narrower. Option C is incorrect because cutback refers to erosion of a stream channel as it undercuts the outer bank of a meander loop. Option D is incorrect because a point bar is a depositional feature created by the accumulation of sediment on the inner bank of a meander loop, it doesn't cause the stream to become wider.

As They Migrate, Meandering Streams Erode Their Out Outside Banks