A dendritic drainage pattern occurs when the tributary systems subdivides headway like the limbs of a tree. These patterns usually form in horizontal sedimentary or in intrusive igneous rocks where the rock mass is reasonably homogeneous. The tributaries in steep terrains tend to be somewhat subparallel and join at acute angles. Any marked structure (joints, faulting) will tend to interfere with the development of the dendritic drainage pattern.
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