Articles | Volume 10, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-437-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-437-2022
© Author(s) 2022. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
31 May 2022
Research article |
| 31 May 2022
| 31 May 2022
Continuous measurements of valley floor width in mountainous landscapes
Fiona J. Clubb
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, UK
Eliot F. Weir
Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, UK
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Simon M. Mudd
School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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We explore controls on channel sediment characteristics in post-glacial landscapes. In contrast to other studies that have focused on landscapes with little glacial influence, we find no apparent controls. We propose that Scotland's post-glacial legacy drives the lack of sedimentological trends, and that changes in landscape morphology and sediment sources caused by glacial processes lead to a complete decoupling between fluvial sediment grain size and environmental variables.
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Short summary
River valleys are important components of mountain systems: they are the most fertile part of landscapes and store sediment which is transported from mountains to surrounding basins. Our knowledge of the location and shape of valleys is hindered by our ability to measure them over large areas. We present a new method for measuring the width of mountain valleys continuously along river channels from digital topography and show that our method can be used to test common models of river widening.
River valleys are important components of mountain systems: they are the most fertile part of...
