Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given charac

Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given characteristics :
1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries
2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope
3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf—smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle

Dendritic
Radial
Trellis
Centripetal
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2024
A
The characteristics describe a Dendritic drainage pattern:
1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries: The dendritic pattern is indeed the most widespread and common drainage pattern.
2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope: This pattern develops where the underlying rock structure is homogeneous and offers no particular resistance or guidance to the flow of water, allowing streams to erode and branch freely.
3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf—smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle: The branching, tree-like appearance where tributaries join the main channel at angles less than 90 degrees is characteristic of a dendritic pattern, resembling the venation of a leaf.
Radial drainage patterns occur around a central elevated point (like a volcano). Trellis patterns develop in folded mountain areas where alternating resistant and less resistant rock layers create a grid-like pattern of main streams and shorter tributaries joining at right angles. Centripetal patterns occur when streams converge towards a central depression or basin.