Understanding Different Types of Streams and Drainage Patterns

Streams and rivers develop different patterns and characteristics based on the underlying geology, slope, and erosional processes. Matching the type of stream with its correct explanation helps understand how drainage systems evolve over time.

Let's examine each type of stream provided and its corresponding explanation:

• Consequent Streams: These streams follow the initial slope of the land surface. They are the first streams to develop in a new drainage basin and their direction is determined by the original topography.
• Obsequent Streams: These streams flow in a direction opposite to that of the original consequent streams and also opposite to the dip of the underlying rock layers. They often develop on escarpments or cuestas.
• Subsequent Streams: These streams develop along zones of weaker rock resistance, often following fault lines or bedding planes. They erode valleys parallel to the strike of the rock layers, perpendicular to the consequent drainage. This process develops valleys across the outcrop of resistant and non-resistant layers.
• Braided Streams: These are streams characterized by a network of interconnecting channels separated by small, temporary islands or bars. They typically occur in areas with high sediment load and variable discharge, often found in glacial meltwater environments or arid regions.

Now let's match the stream types to the explanations provided:

• (a) Consequent matches the explanation "Flow controlled by original slope".
• (b) Obsequent matches the explanation "Flowing opposite to the dip of rock".
• (c) Subsequent matches the explanation "Stream develops valley across outcrop". While subsequent streams flow along the strike, their erosion across the outcrop of different rock resistances creates the characteristic valley.
• (d) Braided matches the explanation "Maze of interconnected channels".

Based on this understanding, we can create the correct matching:

Therefore, the correct matching is (a) - (ii), (b) - (iii), (c) - (i), (d) - (iv).