In physical geography and hydrology, a channel is a landform on which a relatively narrow body of water sits, such as a river, river delta or strait. Channels are distinguished from canals, the equivalent artificial structure built by human engineering, though people also maintain and reshape natural channels through dredging to keep them navigable for shipping and ports. The dimensions of a natural channel shift over time as flowing water erodes and redeposits material along its course, and the same term extends to passages carved by other fluids, including lava channels on Earth and channel-like surface features identified on Venus.
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.