From above they look like canvasses with colourful paint dripping down them - but these images actually show the breathtaking natural wonder of braided rivers.

从高处看，这些图像仿佛是一幅幅油画，鲜艳的油彩在帆布上流溢，然而，实际上，这些具有惊艳之美的画面是一种河流交汇形成的自然奇观。

The spectacular sight occurs when rivers continuously split into smaller channels, giving the impression they have been braided.

这种壮丽景观的形成原因是，河流在整个流域中数次分流成较小的河道，故而看起来就好像数条河道梳成了辫子一样。

It tends to take place on steep slopes that have a large supply of coarse-grained sediments. As the river flow decreases, these sediments are deposited to form small temporary islands that disrupt the water flow.The wide blocks of water tend to be shallow, with mesmerising patterns constantly created.

这种自然现象多发生在陡峭的山坡地区，且多有粗颗粒岩石构成的地质构造。当河流流速减缓时，这些粗颗粒岩石就沉淀下来，形成临时的小岛，阻碍水流。整个流域中的水流变浅，令人神往的奇妙图案由此而生。

MailOnline Travel has rounded up some of nature's most beautiful braided rivers.

《每日邮报》旅游板块在此盘点了几处自然界最壮观的编织河景观。

A bird's eye view of Brahmaputra River, Tibet, China. It is a perfect example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion, where land is suddenly separated by flooding or a change in the course of a river.

雅鲁藏布江鸟瞰图，地理位置是中国西藏，它是编织河的典型景观，形成原因很可能是河流改道或河道分叉，即土质由于洪水冲刷分裂并形成河道，或者河流流经路线的改变。

The spectacular Joekulgilkvísl snakes its way through the Icelandic Highlands. The Rhyolite Mountains can be seen behind partially covered with snow.

壮丽的Joekulgilkvísl河蜿蜒流过冰岛高地，隐约可见河道下面的Rhyolite山，残雪半遮面。

Also in the Icelandic Highlands is the Tungnaa River, which looks spellbinding from above with its ever-changing channels.

Tungnaa河也在冰岛高地上，它的河道一直变化多端，仿佛受到神奇的诅咒一般。

Erosion shapes the path of the Awatere River in New Zealand, creating beautiful patterns when captured from above。

Awatere河位于新西兰，火山喷发形成河道，从上空观看呈现壮丽的景象。

This incredible water network can be found in Iceland.

人们可以在冰岛观赏到这一壮丽的网状河道奇景。

One of Europe's most impressive braided rivers is the Tagliamento which winds from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea at a point between Trieste and Venice.

塔利亚门托河是欧洲最壮美的编织河景观之一，它流经阿尔卑斯山至亚得里亚海，地跨的里雅斯特和威尼斯两座城市。