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Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?
Why does the Brahmaputra in its Tibetan part have less silt, despite a longer course?
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In Tibet, the river Indus known as Tsangpo carries a smaller volume of water and less silt as it is a cold and dry area.
The Brahmaputra has less silt in its Tibetan course mainly because of the cold, dry climate and relatively low erosion in Tibet.
The Tibetan part flows through a cold, arid region, where there is less rainfall and vegetation.
Weathering and soil erosion are relatively low, so fewer sediments enter the river.
The river also flows over a fairly stable, high plateau, limiting sediment supply.
In contrast, after entering the Himalayan region of India, it receives water from many tributaries, heavy monsoon rainfall, and areas of steep slopes. These greatly increase erosion and sediment load.
So, a longer river course does not necessarily mean more silt. What matters more is the amount of erosion and sediment supplied to the river along its course.