How does the Ob River delta form near the Gulf of Ob?

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The Ob River forms its delta as it enters the Gulf of Ob in northern Russia by branching out after the confluence of the Poluy River.1

The formation process involves the following stages:

  • Channel Division: Below Shuryshkary, the river reunites into a single stream before branching out again to form the delta.1
  • Principal Arms: The delta is characterized by two primary arms: the Khamanelsk Ob, which receives the Shchuchya River, and the Nadym Ob, which is the more significant of the two.1
  • Sedimentation: The mouth of the river and the base of the delta are notably affected by a huge sandbar that chokes the outlet into the gulf.2

The delta is situated within the zone of forest tundra, marking the final stage of the river's journey across the West Siberian Plain before it discharges into the Kara Sea.1