Earth Surface Dynamics
Earth Surface Dynamics
ESurf
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1249-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1249-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
Research article
 | 
24 Nov 2025
Research article |  | 24 Nov 2025

Rainfall and tectonic forcing lead to contrasting headwater slope evolutions

Yinbing Zhu, Patrice Rey, and Tristan Salles

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Cited articles

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We use computer models to study how landscapes respond to changes in rainfall and tectonic uplift. We find that rainfall rate changes produce unique slope change reversals near the headwaters, which differ from the simpler responses caused by uplift rate changes. These reversals are more pronounced when hillslope diffusion is dominant. These findings help us understand how climate and tectonic forcing shape the landscape differently and may allow scientists to tell their effects apart in nature.
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