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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

Niger and Ganges-Brahmaputra River Deltas

Using Google Earth complete the following questions:

1. Find the Niger River Delta (04 º 23' 30" N 06 º 00' 00" E) and examine the shoreline at an eye altitude of ~150 km. Do you think this is a wave-dominated or tide-dominated coastline?

2. Now, find the shoreline of the Ganges-Brahmaputra River Delta (21 º 45' 00" N 89 º 15' 00" E) and view it from an eye altitude of ~300 km. Do you think this is a wave-dominated or tide-dominated coastline?

3. Go back to the Niger River Delta, and fly out to an eye altitude of approximately 1000 km. Notice how the shoreline in the area of the Niger delta protrudes into the Atlantic Ocean. Also, examine the bathymetry in front of the subaerial part of the delta. Integrating your new-found knowledge of plate tectonics and observations of this stretch of coastline, identify the plate tectonic setting.

4. Now, go back to the Ganges-Brahmaputra River delta and fly out to an eye altitude of approximately 1500 km. Examine the configuration of the many rivers and drainage networks delivering sediment to the delta. Where do these rivers originate?

5. What type of plate tectonic setting was responsible for creating the interior landform from which the Ganges (to the east) and Brahmaputra (to the west) rivers originate?


These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »