What is the name of the steep bank formed on the outer bend of a river?

The steep bank formed on the outer bend of a river is known as a river cliff. This feature is created through the process of erosion, where the faster-moving water on the outer bend of a river exerts more force, causing the bank to erode more quickly than the inner bend. As a result, the outer bank becomes steep and pronounced, forming a cliff-like structure.

This is a crucial element in understanding river dynamics, as it illustrates the balance between erosion and deposition occurring in different areas of a river's meander. In contrast, a slip-off slope is found on the inner bend of a river, where sediment is deposited, resulting in a gentler slope. A floodplain refers to the area adjacent to the river that is periodically flooded, and a distributary is a branch of a river that flows away from the main river channel. These features differ significantly from a river cliff, highlighting the unique characteristics of the river's outer bend.