What is the primary process responsible for the formation of oxbow lakes along meandering river courses in mature floodplains?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Oxbow lakes form when a meander loop of a river is cut off from the main channel due to continuous erosion on the outer concave banks and deposition on the inner convex banks, eventually narrowing the neck of the loop. Headward erosion deepens valleys rather than creating oxbows, while tectonic uplift alters regional drainage patterns. Meandering channels are a classic feature of the mature stage of river development.