Channel islands in the upper reaches of the Amur River: conditions of formation, distribution and morphology

Abstract

Spatial position and morphological characteristics of islands are analyzed in the upper reaches of the Amur River. Two varieties of islands are distinguished, their formation being controlled primarily by changes in the internal structure of the flow (self-sustained oscillatory processes) and by drastic environmental changes. Both previously published studies of channel processes and the data obtained by the author indicate the sell sustained oscillations are inherent in the erosional activity of channeled streams.