Abrasion of sedimentary particles is widely associated with mutual collisions. Utilizing results of individual, geometric abrasion theory and techniques adopted in statistical physics, a new model for predicting the collective mass evolution of large numbers of particles is introduced. Our model uncovers a startling fundamental feature of collective particle dynamics: collisional abrasion may either focus size distributions or it may act in the opposite direction by dispersing the distribution.

Existing ways of modeling the flow of water amongst landscape depressions such as swamps and lakes take a long time to run. However, as our previous work explains, depressions can be quickly organized into a data structure – the depression hierarchy. This paper explains how the depression hierarchy can be used to quickly simulate the realistic filling of depressions including how they spill over into each other and, if they become full enough, how they merge into one another.

In this study, we comprehensively test a method to derive soil densities under fieldwork conditions. The method is mainly based on images taken from consumer-grade cameras. The obtained soil/sediment densities reflect true values by generally > 95 %, even if a smartphone is used for imaging. All computing steps can be conducted using freeware programs. Soil density is an important variable in the analysis of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides, for example to infer long-term soil production rates.

We propose a machine learning approach for the classification and analysis of large delta systems. The approach uses remotely sensed data, channel network extraction, and the analysis of 10 metrics to identify clusters of islands with similar characteristics. The 12 clusters are grouped in six main classes related to morphological processes acting on the system. The approach allows us to identify spatial patterns in large river deltas to inform modeling and the collection of field observations.

In this paper, we introduce a new technique that can be used to identify how sediments were transported to their place of deposition (transport mode). The traditional method is based on the size of sediment grains, ours on the size and the shape. A test of the method on windblown sediments indicates that it can be used to identify the transport mode with less ambiguity, and therefore it improves our ability to extract information, such as climate from the past, from sediment deposits.

Representing the surface of the Earth on an equally spaced grid leads to errors and uncertainties in derived slope and aspect. Using synthetic data, we develop a quality metric that can be used to compare the uncertainties in different datasets. We then apply this method to a real-world lidar dataset, and find that 1 m data have larger error bounds than lower-resolution data. The highest data resolution is not always the best choice – it is important to consider the quality of the data.

Monitoring rock slopes for a long time helps to understand the impact of climate change on the alpine environment. Measurements of seismic signals are often affected by external influences, e.g., unwanted anthropogenic noise. In the presented work, these influences are automatically identified and removed to enable proper geoscientific analysis. The methods presented are based on machine learning and intentionally kept generic so that they can be equally applied in other (more generic) settings.

By using a set of evaluation methods involving GPS, ICESat, hydrological modelling and altimetry satellite orbits, we show that the novel radial basis function (RBF) processing technique can be used for processing the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data yielding global gravity field models which fit independent reference values at the same level as commonly accepted global geopotential models based on spherical harmonics.

Environmental seismology is the study of the seismic signals emitted by Earth surface processes. This emerging research field is at the intersection of many Earth science disciplines. The overarching scope requires free integrative software that is accepted across scientific disciplines, such as R. The article introduces the R package "eseis" and illustrates its conceptual structure, available functions, and worked examples.

Over very long timescales, 100 000 years or more, landscapes may drastically change. Sediments preserved in these landscapes have a cosmogenic radionuclide inventory that tell us when and how fast such changes took place. In this paper, we provide first evidence of an elevated long-term erosion rate of the northwestern Campine Plateau (lowland Europe), which can be explained by the loose nature of the subsoil.

This study focuses on the creation of a novel CT scan methodology at the crossroads between medical imagery and earth sciences. Using specific density signatures, pebbles and/or organic matter characterizing wet avalanche deposits can be quantified in lake sediments. Starting from AD 1880, we were able to identify eight periods of higher avalanche activity from sediment cores. The use of CT scans, alongside existing approaches, opens up new possibilities in a wide variety of geoscience studies.

Many geoscientists use computer models to understand changes in the Earth's system. However, typically each scientist will build their own model from scratch. This paper describes Landlab, a new piece of open-source software designed to simplify creation and use of models of the Earth's surface. It provides off-the-shelf tools to work with models more efficiently, with less duplication of effort. The paper explains and justifies how Landlab works, and describes some models built with it.

Learning algorithms are powerful tools for understanding and working with large data sets, particularly in situations where any underlying physical models may be complex and poorly understood. Such situations are common in geomorphology. We provide an accessible overview of the various approaches that fall under the umbrella of "learning algorithms", discuss some potential applications within geomorphometry and/or geomorphology, and offer advice on practical considerations.