drainage pattern The spatial relationship between individual stream courses in an area. The resulting pattern often reflects the underlying rock type and structure, and several varieties are recognized. A dendritic pattern is the most common, characterized by a randomly branched arrangement. It is not structurally controlled, and is developed on a homogeneous rock, e.g. clay. A trellis pattern consists of subparallel streams, usually aligned along the geologic strike, and joined at right angles by tributaries. A rectangular pattern is dominated by right-angled bends, and reflects control by joints or faults. A centripetal pattern consists of stream courses converging into a central depression. The drainage network is the drainage pattern viewed geometrically.

drainage pattern The spatial relationship between individual stream courses in an area. The resulting pattern often reflects the underlying rock type and structure, and several varieties are recognized. A dendritic pattern is the most common, characterized by a randomly branched arrangement. It is not structurally controlled and is developed on a homogeneous rock (e.g. clay). A trellis pattern consists of subparallel streams, usually aligned along the geologic strike, joined at right angles by tributaries. A rectangular pattern is dominated by right-angled bends, and reflects control by joints or faults. A centripetal pattern consists of stream courses converging into a central depression. The drainage network is the drainage pattern viewed geometrically.