Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-25-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-25-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
18 Jan 2016
Research article |
| 18 Jan 2016
Network response to disturbances in large sand-bed braided rivers
F. Schuurman
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
Department of Rivers, Deltas and Coasts, Royal HaskoningDHV, Amersfoort, the Netherlands
M. G. Kleinhans
Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
H. Middelkoop
Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands
Related authors
No articles found.
Marco Schrijver, Maarten van der Vegt, Gerben Ruessink, and Maarten Kleinhans
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1202, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1202, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Earth Surface Dynamics (ESurf).
Short summary
Short summary
Mid-channel bars in estuaries are important habitats and bird foraging areas. We measured current velocities on and along the tidal flat of an estuarine mid-channel bar. Our analysis shows that the intertidal currents have a much more three-dimensional pattern than those on shore-connected tidal flats. Existing models for tidal flats underestimate flow velocities on the mid-channel bar, which has consequences for sediment transport and morphodynamics.
Sarah Hautekiet, Jan-Eike Rossius, Olivier Gourgue, Maarten Kleinhans, and Stijn Temmerman
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 601–619, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-601-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-601-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study examined how vegetation growing in marshes affects the formation of tidal channel networks. Experiments were conducted to imitate marsh development, both with and without vegetation. The results show interdependency between biotic and abiotic factors in channel development. They mainly play a role when the landscape changes from bare to vegetated. Overall, the study suggests that abiotic factors are more important near the sea, while vegetation plays a larger role closer to the land.
Maarten G. Kleinhans, Lonneke Roelofs, Steven A. H. Weisscher, Ivar R. Lokhorst, and Lisanne Braat
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 367–381, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-367-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-367-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Floodplain formation in estuaries limit the ebb and flood flow, reducing channel migration and shortening the tidally influenced reach. Vegetation establishment on bars reduces local flow velocity and concentrates flow into channels, while mudflats fill accommodation space and reduce channel migration. These results are based on experimental estuaries in the Metronome facility supported by numerical flow modelling.
Md Feroz Islam, Paul P. Schot, Stefan C. Dekker, Jasper Griffioen, and Hans Middelkoop
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 903–921, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-903-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-903-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The potential of sedimentation in the lowest parts of polders (beels) through controlled flooding with dike breach (tidal river management – TRM) to counterbalance relative sea level rise (RSLR) in 234 beels of SW Bangladesh is determined in this study, using 2D models and multiple regression. Lower beels located closer to the sea have the highest potential. Operating TRM only during the monsoon season is sufficient to raise the land surface of most beels by more than 3 times the yearly RSLR.
Steven A. H. Weisscher, Marcio Boechat-Albernaz, Jasper R. F. W. Leuven, Wout M. Van Dijk, Yasuyuki Shimizu, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 955–972, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-955-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-955-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate and continuous data collection is challenging in physical scale experiments. A novel means to augment measurements is to numerically model flow over the experimental digital elevation maps. We tested this modelling approach for one tidal and two river scale experiments and showed that modelled water depth and flow velocity closely resemble the measurements. The implication is that conducting experiments requires fewer measurements and results in flow data of better overall quality.
Arya P. Iwantoro, Maarten van der Vegt, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 8, 413–429, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-413-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-8-413-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated the effect of tides on the morphodynamic evolution of bifurcations in tide-influenced deltas. Using results from a numerical morphodynamic model (Delft3D), we found that tides cause less asymmetric bifurcations and thereby keep both downstream channels open. Our results explain why avulsion rarely occurs in tide-influenced deltas, whereas it occurs more often in river-dominated deltas.
Menno W. Straatsma, Jan M. Fliervoet, Johan A. H. Kabout, Fedor Baart, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 1167–1187, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-19-1167-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-19-1167-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Climate adaptation of deltas is a hot topic given their high population density in many countries. We quantified trade-offs between hydraulics, potential biodiversity, implementation costs, and the number of land owners involved, using a newly developed tool called RiverScape. With our approach, we move towards finding integrated solutions at the scale of a large river in a delta to support the negotiations among stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Gonzalo Duró, Alessandra Crosato, Maarten G. Kleinhans, and Wim S. J. Uijttewaal
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 933–953, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-933-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-933-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The challenge to measure three-dimensional bank irregularities in a mid-sized river reach can be quickly solved in the field flying a drone with ground-control points and later applying structure from motion photogrammetry. We tested a simple approach that achieved sufficient resolution and accuracy to identify the full bank erosion cycle, including undermining. This is an easy-to-use and quickly deployed survey alternative to measure bank erosion processes along extended distances.
Ivar R. Lokhorst, Lisanne Braat, Jasper R. F. W. Leuven, Anne W. Baar, Mijke van Oorschot, Sanja Selaković, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 883–901, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-883-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-883-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In estuaries, mud sedimentation enhances salt marsh accretion. Here we explore system-scale effects of plants and mud on planform shape and size of estuaries. We coupled Delft3D for hydromorphodynamics with our vegetation model and ran controls for comparison. Effects are greatest at the fluvial–tidal transition, where for the first time in a model, a bedload convergence zone formed. Regardless of local vegetation effects, mud and vegetation cause gradual filling of estuaries over time.
Jasper R. F. W. Leuven, Sanja Selaković, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 763–778, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-763-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-763-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
This paper reports the along-channel variability in occurring bed levels as described by hypsometry in natural estuaries. We found a novel relation between the estuary planform shape and the hypsometric function shape, which implies that it is possible to characterise and predict subwater estuarine morphology and bed levels in data-poor environments.
Jasper H. J. Candel, Maarten G. Kleinhans, Bart Makaske, Wim Z. Hoek, Cindy Quik, and Jakob Wallinga
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 723–741, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-723-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-723-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we show how the Overijsselse Vecht river changed from a laterally stable to a meandering river ca. 500 years ago. We developed a methodology to reconstruct the historical discharge and found that the change in river style was caused by an increase in peak discharges. This increase was likely caused by the Little Ice Age and land use changes in the catchment (peat reclamation and exploitation). This study shows how river style changes as a result of discharge regime changes.
Kees Nooren, Wim Z. Hoek, Brian J. Dermody, Didier Galop, Sarah Metcalfe, Gerald Islebe, and Hans Middelkoop
Clim. Past, 14, 1253–1273, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1253-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-1253-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
We present two new palaeoclimatic records for the central Maya lowlands, adding valuable new insights to the impact of climate change on the development of Maya civilisation. Lake Tuspan's diatom record is indicative of precipitation changes at a local scale, while a beach ridge elevation record from the world's largest late Holocene beach ridge plain provides a regional picture.
Eveline Christien van der Deijl, Marcel van der Perk, and Hans Middelkoop
Earth Surf. Dynam., 6, 187–201, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-187-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-6-187-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
To study the effectiveness of river delta restoration, we used field observations and elevation data to quantify the magnitude and spatial patterns of aggradation and erosion in a restored wetland in the Rhine-Meuse delta. Erosion and aggradation rates decrease over time, but aggradation compensates for sea-level rise and soil subsidence. Channels in the centre had aggraded, whereas the inlet and outlet eroded. Furthermore, sediment is in general uniformly distributed over the intertidal area.
Maarten G. Kleinhans, Maarten van der Vegt, Jasper Leuven, Lisanne Braat, Henk Markies, Arjan Simmelink, Chris Roosendaal, Arjan van Eijk, Paul Vrijbergen, and Marcel van Maarseveen
Earth Surf. Dynam., 5, 731–756, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-731-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-731-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Creating estuaries in the laboratory has been challenging. When the ebb and flood currents are driven by ebb and flood in the sea, they are too weak to move sand. Here we describe how the periodic tilting of an entire experimental set-up leads to ebb and flood currents with similar behaviour as in nature and with enough strength to move sand. This means that this novel set-up now allows for the creation of estuarine landscapes in experiments.
Lisanne Braat, Thijs van Kessel, Jasper R. F. W. Leuven, and Maarten G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 5, 617–652, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-617-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-617-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Mud raises concern in the short-term management of estuaries, but it is not known whether cohesive mud affects the long-term development of estuaries. We discovered that a small supply of mud from the river confines the estuary by forming stable mudflats on the sides in centuries, whereas estuaries with only sand continue to grow. Mudflats also reduce the shifting of channels and bars. This implies that changes in mud supply in estuaries may have led to changes in shape and dynamics in the past.
Kees Nooren, Wim Z. Hoek, Tim Winkels, Annika Huizinga, Hans Van der Plicht, Remke L. Van Dam, Sytze Van Heteren, Manfred J. Van Bergen, Maarten A. Prins, Tony Reimann, Jakob Wallinga, Kim M. Cohen, Philip Minderhoud, and Hans Middelkoop
Earth Surf. Dynam., 5, 529–556, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-529-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-5-529-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We demonstrate that the world's largest beach-ridge plain in southern Mexico was formed under an ample long-term fluvial sediment supply. The beach-ridge elevation is strongly influenced by aeolian accretion during the time when the ridge is located next to the beach. The beach-ridge elevation is negatively correlated with the progradation rate, which we relate to the variability in sediment supply to the coastal zone, reflecting decadal-scale precipitation changes within the river catchment.
W. A. Marra, S. J. McLelland, D. R. Parsons, B. J. Murphy, E. Hauber, and M. G. Kleinhans
Earth Surf. Dynam., 3, 389–408, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-3-389-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-3-389-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Groundwater seepage creates valleys with typical theater-shaped valley heads, which are found on Earth and on Mars. For a better interpretation of these systems, we conducted scale experiments on the formation such valleys. We find that entire landscapes, instead of just the shape of the valleys, provide insights into the source of groundwater. Landscapes filled with valleys indicate a local groundwater source in contrast to sparsely dissected landscapes formed by a distal source of groundwater.
A. C. Cunningham, J. Wallinga, N. Hobo, A. J. Versendaal, B. Makaske, and H. Middelkoop
Earth Surf. Dynam., 3, 55–65, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-3-55-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-3-55-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Rivers transport sediment from mountains to coast, but on the way sediment is trapped and re-eroded multiple times. We looked at Rhine river sediments to see if they preserve evidence of how geomorphic variables have changed over time. We found that measured signals potentially relate to water level and river management practices. These relationships can be treated as hypotheses to guide further research, and our statistical approach will increase the utility of research in this field.
M. G. Kleinhans, T.M. van Rosmalen, C. Roosendaal, and M. van der Vegt
Adv. Geosci., 39, 21–26, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-39-21-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-39-21-2014, 2014
A. F. Bouwman, M. F. P. Bierkens, J. Griffioen, M. M. Hefting, J. J. Middelburg, H. Middelkoop, and C. P. Slomp
Biogeosciences, 10, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-1-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-1-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Physical: Geomorphology (including all aspects of fluvial, coastal, aeolian, hillslope and glacial geomorphology)
Haloturbation in the northern Atacama Desert revealed by a hidden subsurface network of calcium sulfate wedges
An evaluation of flow-routing algorithms for calculating contributing area on regular grids
Geometric constraints on tributary fluvial network junction angles
Automatic detection of floating instream large wood in videos using deep learning
Investigating uncertainty and parameter sensitivity in bedform analysis by using a Monte Carlo approach
Geomorphic imprint of high-mountain floods: insights from the 2022 hydrological extreme across the upper Indus River catchment in the northwestern Himalayas
A numerical model for duricrust formation by water table fluctuations
Width evolution of channel belts as a random walk
Evidence of slow millennial cliff retreat rates using cosmogenic nuclides in coastal colluvium
Equilibrium distance from long-range dune interactions
Examination of analytical shear stress predictions for coastal dune evolution
Post-fire evolution of ravel transport regimes in the Diablo Range, CA
Landscape response to tectonic deformation and cyclic climate change since ca. 800 ka in the southern central Andes
The Aare main overdeepening on the northern margin of the European Alps: basins, riegels, and slot canyons
Surface grain-size mapping of braided channels from SfM photogrammetry
A simple model for faceted topographies at normal faults based on an extended stream-power law
Multiple Equilibrium Configurations in River-Dominated Deltas
Short Communications: Multiscale topographic complexity analysis with pyTopoComplexity
Testing floc settling velocity models in rivers and freshwater wetlands
River suspended-sand flux computation with uncertainty estimation using water samples and high-resolution ADCP measurements
Barchan swarm dynamics from a Two-Flank Agent-Based Model
A landslide runout model for sediment transport, landscape evolution, and hazard assessment applications
Tracking slow-moving landslides with PlanetScope data: new perspectives on the satellite's perspective
Topographic metrics for unveiling fault segmentation and tectono-geomorphic evolution with insights into the impact of inherited topography, Ulsan Fault Zone, South Korea
Acceleration of coastal-retreat rates for high-Arctic rock cliffs on Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard, over the past decade
The impact of bedrock meander cutoffs on 50 kyr scale incision rates, San Juan River, Utah
Sediment aggradation rates for Himalayan Rivers revealed through SAR remote sensing
How water, temperature, and seismicity control the preconditioning of massive rock slope failure (Hochvogel)
Large structure simulation for landscape evolution models
Investigating the celerity of propagation for small perturbations and dispersive sediment aggradation under a supercritical flow
Surficial sediment remobilization by shear between sediment and water above tsunamigenic megathrust ruptures: experimental study
Terrace formation linked to outburst floods at the Diexi palaeo-landslide dam, upper Minjiang River, eastern Tibetan Plateau
Influence of alluvial slope on avulsion in river deltas
Pliocene shorelines and the epeirogenic motion of continental margins: a target dataset for dynamic topography models
Decadal-scale decay of landslide-derived fluvial suspended sediment after Typhoon Morakot
Role of the forcing sources in morphodynamic modelling of an embayed beach
A machine learning approach to the geomorphometric detection of ribbed moraines in Norway
Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff evolution and survival on debris-covered glaciers
Time-varying drainage basin development and erosion on volcanic edifices
Geomorphic risk maps for river migration using probabilistic modeling – a framework
Evolution of submarine canyons and hanging-wall fans: insights from geomorphic experiments and morphodynamic models
Riverine sediment response to deforestation in the Amazon basin
Physical modeling of ice-sheet-induced salt movements using the example of northern Germany
Downstream rounding rate of pebbles in the Himalaya
A physics-based model for fluvial valley width
Sub-surface processes and heat fluxes at coarse-blocky Murtèl rock glacier (Engadine, eastern Swiss Alps)
Implications for the resilience of modern coastal systems derived from mesoscale barrier dynamics at Fire Island, New York
The Glacial Paleolandscapes of Southern Africa: the Legacy of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age
Quantifying the migration rate of drainage divides from high-resolution topographic data
Long-term monitoring (1953–2019) of geomorphologically active sections of Little Ice Age lateral moraines in the context of changing meteorological conditions
Aline Zinelabedin, Joel Mohren, Maria Wierzbicka-Wieczorek, Tibor Janos Dunai, Stefan Heinze, and Benedikt Ritter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 257–276, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-257-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-257-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In order to interpret the formation processes of subsurface salt wedges and polygonal patterned grounds from the northern Atacama Desert, we present a multi-methodological approach. Due to the high salt content of the wedges, we suggest that their formation is dominated by subsurface salt dynamics requiring moisture. We assume that the climatic conditions during the wedge growth were slightly wetter than today, offering the potential to use the wedges as palaeoclimate archives.
Alexander B. Prescott, Jon D. Pelletier, Satya Chataut, and Sriram Ananthanarayan
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 239–256, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-239-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-239-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Many Earth surface processes are controlled by the spatial pattern of surface water flow. We review commonly used methods for predicting such spatial patterns in digital landform models and document the pros and cons of commonly used methods. We propose a new method that is designed to minimize those limitations and show that it works well in a variety of test cases.
Jon D. Pelletier, Robert G. Hayes, Olivia Hoch, Brendan Fenerty, and Luke A. McGuire
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 219–238, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-219-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-219-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We demonstrate that landscapes with more planar initial conditions tend to have lower mean junction angles. Geomorphic processes on alluvial piedmonts result in especially planar initial conditions, consistent with a correlation between junction angles and the presence/absence of Late Cenozoic alluvial deposits and the constraint imposed by the intersection of planar approximations to the topography upslope from tributary junctions. We caution against using junction angles to infer paleoclimate.
Janbert Aarnink, Tom Beucler, Marceline Vuaridel, and Virginia Ruiz-Villanueva
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 167–189, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-167-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-167-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a novel convolutional-neural-network approach for detecting instream large wood in rivers, addressing the need for flexible monitoring methods across diverse data sources. Using a database of 15 228 fully labelled images, the model achieved a weighted mean average precision of 67 %. Fine-tuning parameters and sampling techniques can improve performance by over 10 % in some cases, offering valuable insights into ecosystem management.
Julius Reich and Axel Winterscheid
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 191–217, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-191-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-191-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Analyzing the geometry and the dynamics of riverine bedforms (so-called dune tracking) is important for various fields of application and contributes to sound and efficient river and sediment management. We developed a workflow that enables a robust estimation of bedform characteristics and with which comprehensive sensitivity analyses can be carried out. Using a field dataset, we show that the setting of input parameters in bedform analyses can have a significant impact on the results.
Abhishek Kashyap, Kristen L. Cook, and Mukunda Dev Behera
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 147–166, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-147-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-147-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Short-lived, high-magnitude flood events across high mountain regions leave substantial geomorphic imprints, which are frequently triggered by excess precipitation, glacial lake outbursts, and natural dam breaches. These catastrophic floods highlight the importance of understanding the complex interaction between climatic, hydrological, and geological forces in bedrock catchments. Extreme floods can have long-term geomorphic consequences on river morphology and fluvial processes.
Caroline Fenske, Jean Braun, François Guillocheau, and Cécile Robin
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 119–146, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-119-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-119-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We have developed a new numerical model to represent the formation of duricrusts, which are hard mineral layers found in soils and at the surface of the Earth. We assume that the formation mechanism implies variations in the height of the water table and that the hardening rate is proportional to precipitation. The model allows us to quantify the potential feedbacks they generate on the surface topography and the thickness of the regolith/soil layer.
Jens M. Turowski, Fergus McNab, Aaron Bufe, and Stefanie Tofelde
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 97–117, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-97-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-97-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Channel belts comprise the area affected by a river due to lateral migration and floods. As a landform, they affect water resources and flood hazard, and they often host unique ecological communities. We develop a model describing the evolution of channel-belt area over time. The model connects the behaviour of the river to the evolution of the channel belt over a timescale of centuries. A comparison to selected data from experiments and real river systems verifies the random walk approach.
Rémi Bossis, Vincent Regard, Sébastien Carretier, and Sandrine Choy
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 71–79, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-71-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-71-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The erosion of rocky coasts occurs episodically through wave action and landslides, constituting a major natural hazard. Documenting the factors that control the coastal retreat rate over millennia is fundamental to evidencing any change in time. However, the known rates to date are essentially representative of the last few decades. Here, we present a new method using the concentration of an isotope, 10Be, in sediment eroded from the cliff to quantify its retreat rate averaged over millennia.
Jean Vérité, Clément Narteau, Olivier Rozier, Jeanne Alkalla, Laurie Barrier, and Sylvain Courrech du Pont
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 23–39, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-23-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-23-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using a numerical model in 2D, we study how two identical dunes interact with each other when exposed to reversing winds. Depending on the distance between the dunes, they either repel or attract each other until they reach an equilibrium distance, which is controlled by the wind strength, wind reversal frequency, and dune size. This process is controlled by the modification of wind flow over dunes of various shapes, influencing the sediment transport downstream.
Orie Cecil, Nicholas Cohn, Matthew Farthing, Sourav Dutta, and Andrew Trautz
Earth Surf. Dynam., 13, 1–22, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-13-1-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Using computational fluid dynamics, we analyze the error trends of an analytical shear stress distribution model used to drive aeolian transport for coastal dunes, which are an important line of defense against storm-related flooding hazards. We find that compared to numerical simulations, the analytical model results in a net overprediction of the landward migration rate. Additionally, two data-driven approaches are proposed for reducing the error while maintaining computational efficiency.
Hayden L. Jacobson, Danica L. Roth, Gabriel Walton, Margaret Zimmer, and Kerri Johnson
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1415–1446, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1415-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1415-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Loose grains travel farther after a fire because no vegetation is left to stop them. This matters since loose grains at the base of a slope can turn into a debris flow if it rains. To find if grass growing back after a fire had different impacts on grains of different sizes on slopes of different steepness, we dropped thousands of natural grains and measured how far they went. Large grains went farther 7 months after the fire than 11 months after, and small grain movement didn’t change much.
Elizabeth N. Orr, Taylor F. Schildgen, Stefanie Tofelde, Hella Wittmann, and Ricardo N. Alonso
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1391–1413, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1391-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1391-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fluvial terraces and alluvial fans in the Toro Basin, NW Argentina, record river evolution and global climate cycles over time. Landform dating reveals lower-frequency climate cycles (100 kyr) preserved downstream and higher-frequency cycles (21/40 kyr) upstream, supporting theoretical predications that longer rivers filter out higher-frequency climate signals. This finding improves our understanding of the spatial distribution of sedimentary paleoclimate records within landscapes.
Fritz Schlunegger, Edi Kissling, Dimitri Tibo Bandou, Guilhem Amin Douillet, David Mair, Urs Marti, Regina Reber, Patrick Schläfli, and Michael Alfred Schwenk
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1371–1389, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1371-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1371-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Overdeepenings are bedrock depressions filled with sediment. We combine the results of a gravity survey with drilling data to explore the morphology of such a depression beneath the city of Bern. We find that the target overdeepening comprises two basins >200 m deep. They are separated by a bedrock riegel that itself is cut by narrow canyons up to 150 m deep. We postulate that these structures formed underneath a glacier, where erosion by subglacial meltwater caused the formation of the canyons.
Loïs Ribet, Frédéric Liébault, Laurent Borgniet, Michaël Deschâtres, and Gabriel Melun
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3697, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3697, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work presents a protocol and a model to get the size of the pebbles in mountain rivers from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle images. A set of 12 rivers located in south-eastern France were photographed to build the model. The results show that the model has little error and should be usable for similar rivers. Grain-size of mountain rivers is an important parameter for environmental diagnostics by mapping the aquatic habitats and for flood management by estimating the pebbles fluxes during floods.
Stefan Hergarten
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1315–1327, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1315-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1315-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Faceted topographies are impressive footprints of active tectonics in geomorphology. This paper investigates the evolution of faceted topographies at normal faults and their interaction with a river network theoretically and numerically. As a main result beyond several relations for the geometry of facets, the horizontal displacement associated with normal faults is crucial for the dissection of initially polygonal facets into triangular facets bounded by almost parallel rivers.
Lorenzo Durante, Nicoletta Tambroni, and Michele Bolla Pittaluga
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3552, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3552, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
River deltas are dynamic areas where rivers meet the sea. This study examines delta configurations to guide balanced development and environmental health. Using the Po River Delta, we developed a model to understand how different delta parts interact and maintain balance. Our findings show that deltas can reach varied states of balance, with some areas more prone to shift. These insights support predictions of delta changes and better management strategies.
Larry Syu-Heng Lai, Adam M. Booth, Alison R. Duvall, and Erich Herzig
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3415, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3415, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
pyTopoComplexity is an open-source tool that quantifies land surface complexity using advanced methods. Applied to a landslide-affected area in Washington, USA, it accurately analyzed landform features at various scales, enhancing our understanding of landform recovery after disturbances. By integrating with Landlab’s landscape evolution simulations, the software allows researchers to explore how different processes drive the evolution of surface complexity in response to natural forces.
Justin A. Nghiem, Gen K. Li, Joshua P. Harringmeyer, Gerard Salter, Cédric G. Fichot, Luca Cortese, and Michael P. Lamb
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1267–1294, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1267-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1267-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fine sediment grains in freshwater can cohere into faster-settling particles called flocs, but floc settling velocity theory has not been fully validated. Combining three data sources in novel ways in the Wax Lake Delta, we verified a semi-empirical model relying on turbulence and geochemical factors. For a physics-based model, we showed that the representative grain diameter within flocs relies on floc structure and that heterogeneous flow paths inside flocs increase floc settling velocity.
Jessica Marggraf, Guillaume Dramais, Jérôme Le Coz, Blaise Calmel, Benoît Camenen, David J. Topping, William Santini, Gilles Pierrefeu, and François Lauters
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1243–1266, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1243-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1243-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Suspended-sand fluxes in rivers vary with time and space, complicating their measurement. The proposed method captures the vertical and lateral variations of suspended-sand concentration throughout a river cross-section. It merges water samples taken at various positions throughout the cross-section with high-resolution acoustic velocity measurements. This is the first method that includes a fully applicable uncertainty estimation; it can easily be applied to any other study sites.
Dominic T. Robson and Andreas C. W. Baas
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1205–1226, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1205-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1205-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Barchans are fast-moving sand dunes which form large populations (swarms) on Earth and Mars. We show that a small range of model parameters produces swarms in which dune size does not vary downwind – something that is observed in nature but not when using earlier models. We also show how the shape of dunes and the spatial patterns they form are affected by wind direction. This work furthers our understanding of the interplay between environmental drivers, dune interactions, and swarm properties.
Jeffrey Keck, Erkan Istanbulluoglu, Benjamin Campforts, Gregory Tucker, and Alexander Horner-Devine
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1165–1191, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1165-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1165-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
MassWastingRunout (MWR) is a new landslide runout model designed for sediment transport, landscape evolution, and hazard assessment applications. MWR is written in Python and includes a calibration utility that automatically determines best-fit parameters for a site and empirical probability density functions of each parameter for probabilistic model implementation. MWR and Jupyter Notebook tutorials are available as part of the Landlab package at https://github.com/landlab/landlab.
Ariane Mueting and Bodo Bookhagen
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1121–1143, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1121-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1121-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the use of optical PlanetScope data for offset tracking of the Earth's surface movement. We found that co-registration accuracy is locally degraded when outdated elevation models are used for orthorectification. To mitigate this bias, we propose to only correlate scenes acquired from common perspectives or base orthorectification on more up-to-date elevation models generated from PlanetScope data alone. This enables a more detailed analysis of landslide dynamics.
Cho-Hee Lee, Yeong Bae Seong, John Weber, Sangmin Ha, Dong-Eun Kim, and Byung Yong Yu
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1091–1120, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1091-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1091-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Topographic metrics were used to understand changes due to tectonic activity. We evaluated the relative tectonic activity along the Ulsan Fault Zone (UFZ), one of the most active fault zones in South Korea. We divided the UFZ into five segments, based on the spatial variation in activity. We modeled the landscape evolution of the study area and interpreted tectono-geomorphic history during which the northern part of the UFZ experienced asymmetric uplift, while the southern part did not.
Juditha Aga, Livia Piermattei, Luc Girod, Kristoffer Aalstad, Trond Eiken, Andreas Kääb, and Sebastian Westermann
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1049–1070, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1049-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Coastal rock cliffs on Svalbard are considered to be fairly stable; however, long-term trends in coastal-retreat rates remain unknown. This study examines changes in the coastline position along Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard, using aerial images from 1970, 1990, 2010, and 2021. Our analysis shows that coastal-retreat rates accelerate during the period 2010–2021, which coincides with increasing storminess and retreating sea ice.
Aaron T. Steelquist, Gustav B. Seixas, Mary L. Gillam, Sourav Saha, Seulgi Moon, and George E. Hilley
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1071–1089, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1071-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1071-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The rates at which rivers erode their bed can be used to interpret the geologic history of a region. However, these rates depend significantly on the time window over which you measure. We use multiple dating methods to determine an incision rate for the San Juan River and compare it to regional rates with longer timescales. We demonstrate how specific geologic events, such as cutoffs of bedrock meander bends, are likely to preserve material we can date but also bias the rates we measure.
Jingqiu Huang and Hugh D. Sinclair
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2600, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2600, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses radar technology to track tiny changes in riverbeds elevation in Himalayan Rivers as they flow onto the Gangetic Plains. By analyzing data from 2016 to 2021, we found that sediment builds up in seasonally dry (ephemeral) rivers during monsoon seasons, while the surrounding floodplains is sinking. This research is important for understanding how these elevation changes affect flood risks in rapidly growing communities in Nepal and India. Our findings can improve flood management.
Johannes Leinauer, Michael Dietze, Sibylle Knapp, Riccardo Scandroglio, Maximilian Jokel, and Michael Krautblatter
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 1027–1048, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-1027-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Massive rock slope failures are a significant alpine hazard and change the Earth's surface. Therefore, we must understand what controls the preparation of such events. By correlating 4 years of slope displacements with meteorological and seismic data, we found that water from rain and snowmelt is the most important driver. Our approach is applicable to similar sites and indicates where future climatic changes, e.g. in rain intensity and frequency, may alter the preparation of slope failure.
Julien Coatléven and Benoit Chauveau
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 995–1026, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-995-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-995-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The aim of this paper is to explain how to incorporate classical water flow routines into landscape evolution models while keeping numerical errors under control. The key idea is to adapt filtering strategies to eliminate anomalous numerical errors and mesh dependencies, as confirmed by convergence tests with analytic solutions. The emergence of complex geomorphic structures is now driven exclusively by nonlinear heterogeneous physical processes rather than by random numerical artifacts.
Hasan Eslami, Erfan Poursoleymanzadeh, Mojtaba Hiteh, Keivan Tavakoli, Melika Yavari Nia, Ehsan Zadehali, Reihaneh Zarrabi, and Alessio Radice
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-414, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-414, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A channel may be aggraded by overloaded sediment. In this study we realize an aggradation experiment and determine the celerity at which an aggradation wave, due to sediment overloading, migrates. We also investigate the celerity of small perturbations, as quantified based on mathematical formulations. The celerities of the two kinds are correlated with each other. However, the celerity of small perturbations is larger than the other one, that is less than a few percent of the water velocity.
Chloé Seibert, Cecilia McHugh, Chris Paola, Leonardo Seeber, and James Tucker
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2011, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We propose a new mechanism of widespread surficial co-seismic sediment entrainment by seismic motions in subduction earthquakes. Our physical experiments show that shear from sediment-water relative velocities from long-period earthquake motions can mobilize synthetic fine marine sediment. High frequency vertical shaking can enhance this mobilization. According to our results, the largest tsunamigenic earthquakes that rupture to the trench may be distinguishable in the sedimentary record.
Jingjuan Li, John D. Jansen, Xuanmei Fan, Zhiyong Ding, Shugang Kang, and Marco Lovati
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 953–971, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-953-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-953-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we investigated the geomorphology, sedimentology, and chronology of Tuanjie (seven terraces) and Taiping (three terraces) terraces in Diexi, eastern Tibetan Plateau. Results highlight that two damming and three outburst events occurred in the area during the late Pleistocene, and the outburst floods have been a major factor in the formation of tectonically active mountainous river terraces. Tectonic activity and climatic changes play a minor role.
Octria A. Prasojo, Trevor B. Hoey, Amanda Owen, and Richard D. Williams
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2113, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2113, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Decades of delta avulsion (i.e. channel abrupt jump) study has not resolved what the main controls of delta avulsion are. Using computer model, integrated with field observation, analytical and laboratory-made delta, we found that the sediment load, itself is controlled by the steepness of river upstream of a delta, controls the timing of avulsion. We can now better understand the main cause of abrupt channel changes on deltas, a finding that aids flood risk management in river deltas.
Andrew Hollyday, Maureen E. Raymo, Jacqueline Austermann, Fred Richards, Mark Hoggard, and Alessio Rovere
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 883–905, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-883-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-883-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Sea level was significantly higher during the Pliocene epoch, around 3 million years ago. The present-day elevations of shorelines that formed in the past provide a data constraint on the extent of ice sheet melt and the global sea level response under warm Pliocene conditions. In this study, we identify 10 escarpments that formed from wave-cut erosion during Pliocene times and compare their elevations with model predictions of solid Earth deformation processes to estimate past sea level.
Gregory A. Ruetenik, Ken L. Ferrier, and Odin Marc
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 863–881, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-863-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-863-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fluvial sediment fluxes increased dramatically in Taiwan during Typhoon Morakot in 2009, which produced some of the heaviest landsliding on record. We analyzed fluvial discharge and suspended sediment concentration data at 87 gauging stations across Taiwan to quantify fluvial sediment responses since Morakot. In basins heavily impacted by landsliding, rating curve coefficients sharply increased during Morakot and then declined exponentially with a characteristic decay time of <10 years.
Nil Carrion-Bertran, Albert Falqués, Francesca Ribas, Daniel Calvete, Rinse de Swart, Ruth Durán, Candela Marco-Peretó, Marta Marcos, Angel Amores, Tim Toomey, Àngels Fernández-Mora, and Jorge Guillén
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 819–839, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-819-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-819-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The sensitivity to the wave and sea-level forcing sources in predicting a 6-month embayed beach evolution is assessed using two different morphodynamic models. After a successful model calibration using in situ data, other sources are applied. The wave source choice is critical: hindcast data provide wrong results due to an angle bias, whilst the correct dynamics are recovered with the wave conditions from an offshore buoy. The use of different sea-level sources gives no significant differences.
Thomas J. Barnes, Thomas V. Schuler, Simon Filhol, and Karianne S. Lilleøren
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 801–818, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-801-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we use machine learning to automatically outline landforms based on their characteristics. We test several methods to identify the most accurate and then proceed to develop the most accurate to improve its accuracy further. We manage to outline landforms with 65 %–75 % accuracy, at a resolution of 10 m, thanks to high-quality/high-resolution elevation data. We find that it is possible to run this method at a country scale to quickly produce landform inventories for future studies.
Eric Petersen, Regine Hock, and Michael G. Loso
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 727–745, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ice cliffs are melt hot spots that increase melt rates on debris-covered glaciers which otherwise see a reduction in melt rates. In this study, we show how surface runoff streams contribute to the generation, evolution, and survival of ice cliffs by carving into the glacier and transporting rocky debris. On Kennicott Glacier, Alaska, 33 % of ice cliffs are actively influenced by streams, while nearly half are within 10 m of streams.
Daniel O'Hara, Liran Goren, Roos M. J. van Wees, Benjamin Campforts, Pablo Grosse, Pierre Lahitte, Gabor Kereszturi, and Matthieu Kervyn
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 709–726, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-709-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-709-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding how volcanic edifices develop drainage basins remains unexplored in landscape evolution. Using digital evolution models of volcanoes with varying ages, we quantify the geometries of their edifices and associated drainage basins through time. We find that these metrics correlate with edifice age and are thus useful indicators of a volcano’s history. We then develop a generalized model for how volcano basins develop and compare our results to basin evolution in other settings.
Brayden Noh, Omar Wani, Kieran B. J. Dunne, and Michael P. Lamb
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 691–708, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-691-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-691-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we propose a framework for generating risk maps that provide the probabilities of erosion due to river migration. This framework uses concepts from probability theory to learn the river migration model's parameter values from satellite data while taking into account parameter uncertainty. Our analysis shows that such geomorphic risk estimation is more reliable than models that do not explicitly consider various sources of variability and uncertainty.
Steven Y. J. Lai, David Amblas, Aaron Micallef, and Hervé Capart
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 621–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-621-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-621-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study explores the creation of submarine canyons and hanging-wall fans on active faults, which can be defined by gravity-dominated breaching and underflow-dominated diffusion processes. The study reveals the self-similarity in canyon–fan long profiles, uncovers Hack’s scaling relationship and proposes a formula to estimate fan volume using canyon length. This is validated by global data from source-to-sink systems, providing insights into deep-water sedimentary processes.
Anuska Narayanan, Sagy Cohen, and John R. Gardner
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 581–599, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-581-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-581-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study investigates the profound impact of deforestation in the Amazon on sediment dynamics. Novel remote sensing data and statistical analyses reveal significant changes, especially in heavily deforested regions, with rapid effects within a year. In less disturbed areas, a 1- to 2-year lag occurs, influenced by natural sediment shifts and human activities. These findings highlight the need to understand the consequences of human activity for our planet's future.
Jacob Hardt, Tim P. Dooley, and Michael R. Hudec
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 559–579, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-559-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-559-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the reaction of salt structures on ice sheet transgressions. We used a series of sandbox models that enabled us to experiment with scaled-down versions of salt bodies from northern Germany. The strongest reactions occurred when large salt pillows were partly covered by the ice load. Subsurface salt structures may play an important role in the energy transition, e.g., as energy storage. Thus, it is important to understand all processes that affect their stability.
Prakash Pokhrel, Mikael Attal, Hugh D. Sinclair, Simon M. Mudd, and Mark Naylor
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 515–536, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-515-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-515-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Pebbles become increasingly rounded during downstream transport in rivers due to abrasion. This study quantifies pebble roundness along the length of two Himalayan rivers. We demonstrate that roundness increases with downstream distance and that the rates are dependent on rock type. We apply this to reconstructing travel distances and hence the size of ancient Himalaya. Results show that the ancient river network was larger than the modern one, indicating that there has been river capture.
Jens Martin Turowski, Aaron Bufe, and Stefanie Tofelde
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 493–514, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-493-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-493-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Fluvial valleys are ubiquitous landforms, and understanding their formation and evolution affects a wide range of disciplines from archaeology and geology to fish biology. Here, we develop a model to predict the width of fluvial valleys for a wide range of geographic conditions. In the model, fluvial valley width is controlled by the two competing factors of lateral channel mobility and uplift. The model complies with available data and yields a broad range of quantitative predictions.
Dominik Amschwand, Jonas Wicky, Martin Scherler, Martin Hoelzle, Bernhard Krummenacher, Anna Haberkorn, Christian Kienholz, and Hansueli Gubler
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-172, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-172, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Rock glaciers are comparatively climate-resilient coarse-debris permafrost landforms. We estimate the energy budget of the seasonally thawing active layer (AL) of rock glacier Murtèl (Swiss Alps) based on a novel sub-surface sensor array. In the coarse-blocky AL during the thaw season, heat is transferred by thermal radiation and air convection. The ground heat flux is largely used to melt ground ice in the AL that protects to some degree the permafrost body beneath.
Daniel J. Ciarletta, Jennifer L. Miselis, Julie C. Bernier, and Arnell S. Forde
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 449–475, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-449-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-449-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We reconstructed the evolution of Fire Island, a barrier island in New York, USA, to identify drivers of landscape change. Results reveal Fire Island was once divided into multiple inlet-separated islands with distinct features. Later, inlets closed, and Fire Island’s landscape became more uniform as human activities intensified. The island is now less mobile and less likely to resist and recover from storm impacts and sea level rise. This vulnerability may exist for other stabilized barriers.
Pierre Dietrich, François Guillocheau, Guilhem Amin Douillet, Neil Patrick Griffis, Guillaume Baby, Daniel Paul Le Heron, Laurie Barrier, Maximilien Mathian, Isabel Patricia Montañez, Cécile Robin, Thomas Gyomlai, Christoph Kettler, and Axel Hofmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-467, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-467, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
At the evocation of ‘icy landscapes’, Africa is not the first place that comes to mind. The modern relief of Southern Africa is generally considered as resulting from uplift and counteracting erosion. We show that many modern reliefs of this region are fossil glacial landscapes tied to an ice age that occurred 300 million years ago: striated pavements, valleys, fjords. We emphasise how these landscapes have escaped being erased for hundreds of millions of years, generally considered improbable.
Chao Zhou, Xibin Tan, Yiduo Liu, and Feng Shi
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 433–448, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-433-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-433-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The drainage-divide stability provides new insights into both the river network evolution and the tectonic and/or climatic changes. Several methods have been proposed to determine the direction of drainage-divide migration. However, how to quantify the migration rate of drainage divides remains challenging. In this paper, we propose a new method to calculate the migration rate of drainage divides from high-resolution topographic data.
Moritz Altmann, Madlene Pfeiffer, Florian Haas, Jakob Rom, Fabian Fleischer, Tobias Heckmann, Livia Piermattei, Michael Wimmer, Lukas Braun, Manuel Stark, Sarah Betz-Nutz, and Michael Becht
Earth Surf. Dynam., 12, 399–431, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-399-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-399-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We show a long-term erosion monitoring of several sections on Little Ice Age lateral moraines with derived sediment yield from historical and current digital elevation modelling (DEM)-based differences. The first study period shows a clearly higher range of variability of sediment yield within the sites than the later periods. In most cases, a decreasing trend of geomorphic activity was observed.
Cited articles
Ahktar, M. P., Sharma, N., and Ojha, C. S. P.: Braiding process and bank erosion in the Brahmaputra River, Int. J. Sediment. Res., 26, 431–444,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-6279(12)60003-1, 2011.
Ashmore, P. E.: How do gravel-bed rivers braid?, Can. J. Earth Sci., 28, 326–341,
https://doi.org/10.1139/e91-030, 1991a.
Ashmore, P. E.: Channel morphology and bed load pulses in braided, gravel-bed streams, Geogr. Ann. Ser. A, 73, 37–52,
https://doi.org/10.2307/521212, 1991b.
Ashworth, J. P. and Lewin, J.: How do big rivers come to be different?, Earth-Sci. Rev., 114, 84–107,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2012.05.003, 2012.
Ashworth, J. P., Best, J. L., Roden, J. E., Bristow, C. S., and Klaassen, G. J.: Morphological
evolution and dynamics of a large, sand braid-bar, Jamuna River, Bangladesh, Sedimentology, 47, 533–555,
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3091.2000.00305.x, 2000.
Baki, A. B. M. and Gan, T. Y.: Riverbank migration and island dynamics of the braided Jamuna River
of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin using multi-temporal Landsat images, Quatern. Int., 263, 148–161,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.03.016, 2012.
Best, J. L., Ashworth, J. P., Bristow, C. S., and Roden, J. E.: Three-dimensional sedimentary
architecture of a large, mid-channel sand braid bar, Jamuna River, Bangladesh, J. Sediment. Res., 73, 516–530,
https://doi.org/10.1306/010603730516, 2003.
Bhuiyan, M. A. H., Rakib, M. A., Takashi, K., Rahman, M. J. J., and Suzuki, S.: Regulation of Brahmaputra-Jamuna
River around Jamuna Bridge Site, Bangladesh: Geoenvironmental Impacts, J. Water Resource
Protection, 2, 123–130,
https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2010.22014, 2010.
Blondeaux, P. and Seminara, G.: A unified bar bend theory of river meanders, J. Fluid Mech., 157, 449–470,
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112085002440, 1985.
Bolla Pittaluga, M., Repetto, R., and Tubino, M.: Channel bifurcation in braided rivers:
Equilibrium configurations and stability, Water Resour. Res., 39, 1046,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2001WR001112, 2003.
Brandt, S. A.: Classification of geomorphological effects downstream of dams, Catena, 40, 375–401,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(00)00093-X, 2000.
Bridge, J. S.: The interaction between channel geometry, water flow, sediment transport and
deposition in braided rivers, in: Braided Rivers, edited by: Best, J. L. and Bristow, C. S., Geological Society, London, UK, 13–71,
https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1993.075.01.02, 1993.
Bristow, C. S.: Brahmaputra River: channel migration and deposition, in: Recent Developments
in Fluvial Sedimentology, edited by: Ethridge, F. G., Floris, R. M., and Harvey, M. D.,
Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists Special Publications, vol. 39, 63–74,
https://doi.org/10.2110/pec.87.39.0063, 1987.
Church, M.: Geomorphic response to river flow regulation: case studies and time-scales, Regul. River., 11, 3–22,
https://doi.org/10.1002/rrr.3450110103, 1995.
Crosato, A. and Mosselman, E.: Simple physics-based predictor for the number of river
bars and the transition between meandering and braiding, Water Resour. Res., 45, W03424,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008WR007242, 2009.
Crosato, A. and Saleh, M. S.: Numerical study on the effects of floodplain vegetation on
river planform style, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 36, 711–720,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2088, 2010.
Deltares: Delft3D-FLOW User Manual, Simulation of Multi-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Flows and
Transport Phenomena, Including Sediments, Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands, 2009.
Egozi, R. and Ashmore, P.: Experimental analysis of braided channel pattern response to increased discharge, J. Geophys. Res., 114, F02012,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JF001099, 2009.
Engelund, F. and Hansen, E.: A Monograph on Sediment Transport in Alluvial Streams, Da. Tech. Press, Copenhagen,
Denmark, 62 pp.,
1967.
Fujita, Y.: Bar and channel formation in braided streams, in: River Meandering, edited by:
Ikeda, S. and Parker, G., American Geophysical Union, Washington DC, US, 12, 417–462, 1989.
Gordon, E. and Meentemeyer, R. K.: Effects of dam operation and land use on stream channel
morphology and riparian vegetation, Geomorphology, 82, 412–429,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.06.001, 2006.
Khan, N. I. and Islam, A.: Quantification of erosion patterns in the Brahmaputra-Jamuna
River using geographical information system and remote sensing techniques, Hydrol. Process., 17, 959–966,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.1173, 2003.
Kiss, T. and Sipos, G.: Braid-scale channel geometry changes in a sand-bedded river: significance of low stages, Geomorphology, 84, 209–221,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.01.041, 2007.
Klaassen, G. J. and Masselink, G.: Planform changes of a braided river with fine sand as
bed and bank material, in: 5th Int. Symposium on River Sedimentation, 6–10 April 1992, Karlsruhe, Germany, 459–471, 1992.
Klaassen, G. J., Mosselman, E., and Bruhl, H.: On the prediction of planform changes in
braided sand-bed rivers, in: 1st Int. Conference on Advances in Hydro-Science and -Engineering, 7–10 June 1993, Washington, US, 134–146, 1993.
Kleinhans, M. G. and Van den Berg, J. H.: River channel and bar patterns explained and predicted by an empirical and a physics-based method, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 36, 721–738,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2090, 2011.
Kleinhans, M. G., Furguson, R. I., Lane, S. N., and Van den Berg, J. H.: Splitting rivers at their seams: bifurcations and avulsions, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 38, 47–61,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3268, 2013.
Koch, F. G. and Flokstra, C.: Bed level computations for curved
alluvial channels, in: Proc. of the XIX Congress of the Int. Ass. for Hydr. Res., 2–7 February 1981, New Delhi, India, 2, 357, 1981.
Mosselman, E., Huisink, M., Koomen, E. and Seijmonsbergen, A. C.:
Morphological changes in a large braided sand-bed river, in: River
Geomorphology, edited by: Hickin, E. J., Wiley, Chichester, UK, 235–247,
1995.
Latrubesse, E. M.: Patterns of anabranching channels: the ultimate end-member adjustment of mega rivers, Geomorphology, 101, 130–145,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.05.035, 2008.
Leopold, L. B. and Wolman, M. G.: River channel patterns: braided,
meandering and straight, US Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap., 282, 39–85, 1957.
Lesser, G. R., Roelvink, J. A., Kester, J. A. T. M. V., and Stelling, G. S.: Development and validation of a three-dimensional morphological model, Coast. Eng., 51, 883–915,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2004.07.014, 2004.
Lewin, J. and Ashworth, P. J.: Defining large river channel patterns: alluvial exchange and plurality, Geomorphology, 215, 83–98,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.02.024, 2014.
Mosselman, E.: Bank protection and river training along the braided Brahmaputra-Jamuna River, Bangladesh, in: Braided Rivers: Process, Deposition, Ecology and Management, edited by: Smith, G. H. S., Best, J. L., Bristow, C. S., and Petts, G. E., Blackwell, Oxford, UK, 277–287,
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444304374.ch13, 2006.
Murray, A. B. and Paola, C.: Modelling the effect of vegetation on channel pattern in bedload rivers, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 28, 131–143,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.428, 2003.
Nakagawa, H., Zhang, H., Baba, Y., Kawaike, K., and Teraguchi, H.: Hydraulic characteristics of typical bank-protection works along the Brahmaputra/Jamuna River, Bangladesh, J. Flood Risk Management, 6, 345–359,
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12021, 2013.
Nicholas, A. P.: Investigation of spatially distributed braided river flows using a two-dimensional hydraulic model, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 28, 655–674,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.491, 2003.
Nicholas, A. P.: Reduced-complexity modeling of free bar morphodynamics in alluvial channels, J. Geophys. Res., 115, F04021,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JF001774, 2010.
Nicholas, A. P.: Modelling the continuum of river channel patterns, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 38, 1187–1196,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3431, 2013.
Nicholas, A. P., Sandbach, S. D., Ashworth, P. J., Amsler, M. L., Best, J. L., Hardy, R. J., Lane, S. N., Orfeo, O., Parsons, D. R., Reesink, A. J. H., Sambrook Smith, G. H., and Szupiany, R. N.: Modelling hydrodynamics in the Rio Paraná, Argentina: an evaluation and inter-comparison of reduced-complexity and physics based models applied to a large sand-bed river, Geomorphology, 169, 192–211,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2012.05.014, 2012.
Peakall, J., Ashworth, P. J., and Best, J. L.: Meander bend evolution, alluvial architecture, and the role of cohesion in sinuous river channels, a flume study, J. Sediment. Res., 77, 197–212,
https://doi.org/10.2110/jsr.2007.017, 2007.
Rahman, M. M., Arifur, R. M., and Munsur, R. M.: Effectiveness of river training structures in Bangladesh, in: 6th International
Conference on Scour and Erosion, 27–31 August 2012, Paris, France, 935–940, 2012a.
Rahman, M. M., Mahmud, F., and Uddin, M. N.: Effect of sand bars on failure of bank protection work along large sand bed
braided river, in: 6th International Conference on Scour and Erosion, 27–31 August 2012, Paris, France, 469–476, 2012b.
Ribberink, J. S., and Van der Sande, J. T. M.: Aggradation in rivers due to overloading, J. Hydraul. Res., 23, 273–283,
https://doi.org/10.1080/00221688509499355, 1985.
Roelvink, J. A.: Coastal morphodynamic evolution techniques, Coast. Eng., 53, 277–287,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coastaleng.2005.10.015, 2006.
Ronco, P., Fasolato, G., Nones, M., and Di Silvio, G.: Morphological effects of damming on lower Zambezi River, Geomorphology, 115, 43–55,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2009.09.029, 2010.
Sarker, M. H. and Thorne, C. R.: Morphological response of the Brahmaputra-Padma-Lower Meghna River system to the Assam Earthquake of 1950, in: Braided Rivers: Process, Deposition, Ecology and Management, edited by: Smith, G. H. S., Best, J. L., Bristow, C. S., and Petts, G. E., Blackwell, Oxford, UK, 289–310,
https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444304374.ch14, 2006.
Sarker, M. H., Huque, I. H., and Alam, M.: Rivers, chars and char dwellers of Bangladesh, Int. J. River Basin Management, 1, 61–80,
https://doi.org/10.1080/15715124.2003.9635193, 2003.
Schuurman, F. and Kleinhans, M. G.: Bar dynamics and bifurcation
evolution in a modelled braided sand-bed river, Earth
Surf. Proc. Land. 40, 1318–1333,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3722, 2015.
Schuurman, F., Kleinhans, M. G., and Marra, W. A.: Physics-based modeling of large braided sand-bed rivers: bar pattern formation, dynamics, and sensitivity, J. Geophys. Res., 118, 2509–2527,
https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JF002896, 2013.
Schuurman, F., Shimizu, Y., Iwasaki, T., and Kleinhans, M. G.: Dynamic meandering in response to upstream perturbations and floodplain formation, Geomorphology, 253, 94–109, 2016.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.039, 2016.
Struiksma, N., Olesen, K., Flokstra, C., and De Vriend, H.: Bed deformation in curved alluvial channels, J. Hydraul. Res., 23, 57–79,
https://doi.org/10.1080/00221688509499377, 1985.
Surian, N. and Rinaldi, M.: Morphological response to river engineering and management in alluvial channels in Italy, Geomorphology, 50, 307–326,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00219-2, 2003.
Takagi, T., Oguchi, T., Matsumoto, J., Grossman, M. J., Sarker, M. H., and Matin, M. A.: Channel braiding and stability of the Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh, since 1967: GIS and remote sensing analyses, Geomorphology, 85, 394–305,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.03.028, 2007.
Talmon, A. M., Struiksma, N., and Van Mierlo, M. C. L. M.: Laboratory measurements of the direction of sediment transport on transverse alluvial-bed slopes, J. Hydraul. Res., 33, 495–517,
https://doi.org/10.1080/00221689509498657, 1995.
Tealdi, S., Camporeale, C., and Ridolfi, L.: Modeling the impact of river damming on riparian vegetation, J. Hydrol., 396, 302–312,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.11.016, 2011.
Thorne, C. R., Russel, A. P. G., and Alam, M. K.: Planform pattern and channel evolution of the Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh, in: Braided Rivers, edited by: Best, J. L., and Bristow, C. S., Geological Society, London, UK, 257–276,
https://doi.org/, 1993.
Uijttewaal, W. S. J.: Effects of groyne layout on the flow in groyne fields: laboratory experiments, J. Hydraul. Eng.-ASCE, 131, 782–791,
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2005)131:9(782), 2005.
Van der Wegen, M. and Roelvink, J. A.: Long-term morphodynamic evolution of a tidal embayment using a two-dimensional, process-based model, J. Geophys. Res., 113, C03016,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JC003983, 2008.
Van Dijk, W. M., Van de Lageweg, W. I., and Kleinhans, M. G.: Experimental meandering river with chute cutoffs, J. Geophys. Res., 117, F03023,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002314, 2012.
Wu, F. C. and Yeh, T. H.: Forced bars induced by variations of channel width: implications for incipient bifurcation, J. Geophys. Res., 110, F02009,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004JF000160, 2005.
Xu, J.: Evolution of mid-channel bars in a braided river and complex response to reservoir construction: an example from the middle Hanjiang River, China, Earth Surf. Proc. Land., 22, 953–965,
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199710)22:10<953::AID-ESP789>3.0.CO;2-S, 1997.
Yang, H., Lin, B., and Zhou, J.: Physics-based numerical modelling of
large braided rivers dominated by suspended sediment,
Hydrol. Processes, 29, 1925–1941,
https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10314, 2014.
Yossef, M. and de Vriend, H.: Sediment exchange between a river and its groyne fields: mobile-bed experiment, J. Hydraul. Eng.-ASCE, 136, 610–625,
https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000226, 2010.
Short summary
We studied the propagation of natural and human-induced perturbations in large braided sand-bed rivers using a physics-based 3-D model. The results show that the perturbations not only affect the local morphology but their effects amplify while propagating through the braided network. This occurs by destabilization of bifurcations in combination with reshaping of bars and branches. These results could have a major impact on the assessment of engineering measures in large braided sand-bed rivers.
We studied the propagation of natural and human-induced perturbations in large braided sand-bed...
