The planform migration architecture is the basis for the reconstruction and restoration of the sedimentary evolution of the paleochannel, as well as the premise for forecasting the migration trend of the river. This paper aims to figure out the regularity of the planform migration structures of a meandering river, and historical satellite images are acquired primarily through Google Earth and ACME Mapper. Through the characterization on Irtysh River, which is relatively in the considerable preservation condition of the natural structure, 28 kinds of structure elements are utilized to depict the meandering river. Moreover, 5 kinds of characterization factors are proposed to make quantitative describe the channel structure, extraordinarily, three of which are firstly brought forward and applied here. Via the fine anatomy of the structure of 12 typical meander loops, S, C, ∆θ, ∆θ', KM factors are adopted to summarize 6 kinds of planform migration structures. Finally, 9 meandering channel migration patterns are concluded.
