Hillslope diffusion and channel steepness in landscape evolution models

Litwin, David G.; Malatesta, Luca C.; Sklar, Leonard S.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-277-2025

Articles | Volume 13, issue 2

https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-277-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-277-2025

© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 13, issue 2

Research article

|

31 Mar 2025

Research article |

| 31 Mar 2025

Hillslope diffusion and channel steepness in landscape evolution models

David G. Litwin, Luca C. Malatesta, and Leonard S. Sklar

Data sets

United States Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program 1 meter Digital Elevation Model USGS https://doi.org/10.5069/G9NP22NT

High Resolution Topography over Gabilan Mesa, CA 2003 W. Dietrich https://doi.org/10.5069/G947481V

Model code and software

Scripts for "Hillslope diffusion and channel steepness in landscape evolution models" David G. Litwin https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13143153

Short summary

Channel–hillslope coupling in landscape evolution models can strongly affect channel profiles. When hillslope diffusion is applied everywhere and only topography is tracked, a new scaling predicts how detachment-limited channels steepen with hillslope diffusion. Field data support channel steepening to transport sediment but not as predicted by the scaling, highlighting the need for a critical inspection of channel–hillslope coupling approaches.