Which factor primarily influences the formation of drainage patterns?

The formation of drainage patterns is primarily influenced by topography and geology. Topography refers to the physical features of the land, including elevation, slope, and landscape shape. These features dictate how water flows across the land, leading to specific drainage patterns like dendritic, radial, or rectangular shapes.

Geology plays a crucial role as well, as the type of rock and soil determines the permeability and drainage capacity of the surface. For instance, water will flow differently over hard rock compared to softer, more erodible materials. The interaction of these two factors—topography and geology—shapes how rivers and streams carve out their courses, leading to distinct drainage patterns that reflect the characteristics of the landscape.

Other factors like human activity can modify existing patterns, and weather conditions can temporarily affect water flow, but they do not primarily dictate the fundamental layout of drainage systems in the same way that topography and geology do. River travel speed pertains more to individual river dynamics rather than the broader patterns of drainage formation.