Stream laws in analog tectonic-landscape models
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2023
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
The interplay between tectonics and surface processes defines the evolution of mountain belts. However, correlating these processes through the evolution of natural orogens represents a scientific challenge. Analog models can be used for analyzing and interpreting the effect of such interaction. To fulfill this purpose it is necessary to understand how the imposed boundary conditions affect analog models' evolution in time and space. We use nine analog models characterized by different combinations of imposed regional slope and rainfall rates to investigate how surface processes respond to the presence of tectonically built topography (imposed slope) under different climatic conditions (rainfall rate). We show how the combination of these parameters controls the development of drainage networks and erosional processes. We quantify the morphological differences between experimental landscapes in terms of a proposed Sā/R ratio, accounting for both observables and boundary conditions. We find few differences between analog models and natural prototypes in terms of parametrization of the detachment-limited stream power law. We observe a threshold in the development of channelization, modulated by a tradeoff between applied boundary conditions.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
11 (4)
Pages / Article No.
731 - 740
Publisher
Copernicus
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03754 - Willett, Sean / Willett, Sean