GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A tributary is a freshwater stream that feeds into a larger stream or river. The larger, or parent, river is called the mainstem. The point where a tributary meets the mainstem is called the confluence. Tributaries, also called affluents, do not flow directly into the ocean.

Detailed explanation-2: -A river is a large stream of water flowing through the land, usually fed by smaller streams.

Detailed explanation-3: -A river can grow greatly in size on its journey from the source to the mouth, as other tributaries join it and add their load of water to its flow. Groundwater may also add to the river’s volume. The Amazon River has thousands of tributaries. These all feed into it to make it the largest river in the world by volume.

Detailed explanation-4: -Tributary is a stream or river that flows and joins the larger river.

Detailed explanation-5: -A tributary can be a tiny stream, but some are immense rivers. The Missouri River, for example, could be called a tributary to the Mississippi, even though it’s about 2, 500 miles long and receives hundreds of tributaries itself.