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.
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.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Hillslope diffusion and channel steepness in landscape evolution models
David G. Litwin
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Earth Surface Process Modelling, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
Luca C. Malatesta
Earth Surface Process Modelling, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
Leonard S. Sklar
School of Environmental Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
Related authors
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Boris Gailleton, Luca C. Malatesta, Guillaume Cordonnier, and Jean Braun
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 71–90, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-71-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-71-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This contribution presents a new method to numerically explore the evolution of mountain ranges and surrounding areas. The method helps in monitoring with details on the timing and travel path of material eroded from the mountain ranges. It is particularly well suited to studies juxtaposing different domains – lakes or multiple rock types, for example – and enables the combination of different processes.
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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.
Channel–hillslope coupling in landscape evolution models can strongly affect channel profiles....