Which factor primarily influences the formation of different river landforms?

The formation of different river landforms is primarily influenced by geological processes and erosion. Rivers carve their paths through various landscapes over time, creating distinctive features such as meanders, oxbow lakes, and deltas. The geological composition of the area, including the hardness or softness of rocks and soil, plays a crucial role in determining how quickly a river can erode the land. For instance, softer rock types are more easily eroded, developing features quickly, while harder rocks may resist erosion, resulting in different landforms.

Erosion processes such as hydraulic action, abrasion, and attrition further shape riverbanks and riverbeds, leading to the creation of various landforms as the river flows and modifies its course. This natural interaction between the river and the surrounding geology is key in forming the landscape we observe along riverbanks. While human activities, climate change, and vegetation types do influence rivers, they do not primarily dictate the formation of landforms; instead, they act as secondary factors.