Palaeochannels on the North China Plain: Types and distributions

Abstract

A palaeochannel is the geomorphological expression of an abandoned river channel, caused by either human or natural factors. It is expressed by topographic form, sediment and hydrogeomorphology, and may be visible on air photos and satellite images. The palaeochannels of the North China Plain can be classified as surface palaeochannels and shallow-buried palaeochannels; the surface palaeochannels can be further divided into crevasse channels, palaeoriver channels, trough-shaped palaeochannels, and strip-shaped elevated palaeochannels. Palaeochannel zones may include combinations of these types. The distribution of the palaeochannels in the North China Plain is radial on the piedmont plain, parallel on the floodplain and crown-shaped on the coastal plain.