Cyclic steps: A phenomenon of supercritical shallow flow from the high mountains to the bottom of the ocean

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jher.2009.10.002
• Publication Date: 2009-12-07T14:44:34Z
• Authors: Svetlana Kostic; Octavio Sequeiros; Benoit Spinewine; Gary Parker
• Keywords: Supercritical flow; Froude number; Bedform; Seafloor Spreading; Bedrock

Cyclic steps constitute a characteristic bedform of Froude-supercritical shallow flow over an erodible bed. They are long-wave features that are bounded by hydraulic jumps and migrate upstream. They can be seen in alluvial streams, stream in cohesive sediment, bedrock streams, and on the seafloor in response to turbidity currents. Recent progress in the modeling of cyclic steps is summarized. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of International Association for Hydro-environment Engineering and Research, Asia Pacific Division.