Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-11-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-11-2016
Research article
 | 
15 Jan 2016
Research article |  | 15 Jan 2016

Experimental migration of knickpoints: influence of style of base-level fall and bed lithology

J.-L. Grimaud, C. Paola, and V. Voller

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Cited articles

Allen, P. A.: Time scales of tectonic landscapes and their sediment routing systems, in: Earth's Dynamic Surface: Catastrophe and Continuity in Landscape Evolution, edited by: Gallagher, K., Jones, S. J., and Wainwright, J., Special Publication Geological Society London, 7–28, 2008.
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Short summary
Knickpoints represent localized steps along a river profile (e.g. waterfalls or rapids) that are commonly interpreted as the geomorphic response of river systems to external changes. We used a simple experiment to show that knickpoints may not only respond to external base-level change but are also able to self-organize. We highlight the effect of alluvial cover in delaying knickpoint formation and show that river bed strength controls both retreat velocity and geometry of knickpoints.
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