River networks evolve as migrating drainage divides reshape river basins and change network topology by capture of channels. We demonstrate that a characteristic metric geometry gauges the horizontal motion divides. Assessing this throughout landscape maps dynamic states entire networks, revealing diverse conditions: Drainage in Loess Plateau China appear stationary; young topography Taiwan has driving adjustment major basins; rivers draining ancient southeastern United States are...

ABSTRACT Bedrock river profiles are often interpreted with the aid of slope–area analysis, but noisy topographic data make such interpretations challenging. We present an alternative approach based on integration steady‐state form stream power equation. The main component this is a transformation horizontal coordinate that converts profile into straight line slope simply related to ratio uplift rate erodibility. transformed profiles, called chi plots, have other useful properties, including...

Bedrock weathering runs to the hills Fractures in bedrock drive breakdown of rock into soil. Soil makes observations processes challenging. St. Clair et al. combined a three-dimensional stress model with geophysical measurements show that erosion rates mirror changes topography (see Perspective by Anderson). Seismic reflection and electromagnetic profiles allowed mapping fracture density. The surface elevation thus provide way study critical zone between Science , this issue p. 534 ; see also 506

Abstract Erosion by bedrock river channels is commonly modeled with the stream power equation. We present a two‐part approach to solving this nonlinear equation analytically and explore implications for evolving profiles. First, method non‐dimensionalizing transforms profiles in steady state respect uniform uplift into straight line dimensionless distance‐elevation space. Second, that tracks upstream migration of slope patches, which are mathematical entities carry information about...

Many landscapes are composed of ridges and valleys that uniformly spaced, even where valley locations not controlled by bedrock structure. Models long‐term landscape evolution have reproduced this phenomenon, yet the process which spaced develop is well understood, there no quantitative framework for predicting spacing. Here we use a numerical model to investigate development uniform We find evenly arise from competition between adjacent drainage basins area (a proxy water flux) spacing...

Landscapes are sometimes argued to be scale‐invariant or random surfaces, yet qualitative observations suggest that they contain characteristic spatial scales. We quantitatively investigate the existence of landscape scales by analyzing two‐dimensional Fourier power spectra derived from high‐resolution topographic maps two landscapes in California. In both cases, we find spectral declines sharply above a frequency corresponds roughly hillslope length, implying is relatively smooth at finer...

Amphitheater‐headed valleys on Earth and Mars are often assumed to result from erosion by emerging spring water (i.e., seepage or groundwater sapping) rather than surface runoff. The origin of such has implications for landscape evolution the hydrologic cycle associated potential life other planets. In this paper we explore evidence in bedrock address whether valley morphology can be used as a diagnostic indicator erosion. Seepage is an important process loose sediment where hydraulic forces...

Research Article| March 01, 2013 Fluvial features on Titan: Insights from morphology and modeling Devon M. Burr; Burr † 1Earth Planetary Sciences Department, University of Tennessee–Knoxville, 1412 Circle Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, USA †E-mail: dburr1@utk.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Taylor Perron; Perron 2Department Earth, Atmospheric, Sciences, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 77 Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, Michael P. Lamb; Lamb...

Earth's climate affects nearly all aspects of landscape evolution, from the breakdown rock to delivery sediment oceans. Yet quantifying climate's influence on landscapes is a major challenge, not only because it difficult know how responded past changes in climate, but also are shaped by various processes that respond different ways. I review current state efforts quantify effects rates main drive with focus unglaciated formed bedrock erosion. Although many uncertainties remain, recent...

Research Article| March 21, 2019 Influences of climate and life on hillslope sediment transport Paul W. Richardson; Richardson 1Department Earth, Atmospheric, Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 77 Avenue, Cambridge, 02139, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Taylor Perron; Perron Naomi D. Schurr Author Article Information Publisher: Geological Society America Received: 21 Jun 2018 Revision 16 Nov Accepted: 10 Feb First Online: Mar Online...

The high levels of biodiversity supported by mountains suggest a possible link between geologic processes and biological evolution. Freshwater is not only in tectonically active settings but also quiescent montane regions such as the Appalachian Mountains. We show that erosion through different rock types drove allopatric divergence lineages Greenfin Darter (Nothonotus chlorobranchius), fish species endemic to rivers draining metamorphic rocks Tennessee River basin United States. In past,...

Research Article| July 01, 2007 Formation of amphitheater-headed valleys by waterfall erosion after large-scale slumping on Hawai'i Michael P. Lamb; Lamb 1Department Earth and Planetary Science, University California, Berkeley, California 94720-4767, USA Search for other works this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alan D. Howard; Howard 2Department Environmental Sciences, Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4123, William E. Dietrich; Dietrich 3Department J. Taylor Perron Author Article...

Branching valley networks near the landing site of Huygens probe on Titan imply that fluid has eroded surface. The was most likely methane, which forms several percent Titan's atmosphere and can exist as a liquid at morphology nature surface environment are inconsistent with primary formation process involving thermal, chemical, or seepage erosion. valleys were more mechanically by runoff associated methane precipitation. If mechanical erosion did occur, flows must first have been able to...

ABSTRACT Landscapes subject to constant forcing tend evolve toward equilibrium states in which individual landforms have similar characteristics. Yet, even landscapes at or near equilibrium, there can be significant variability among landforms. Furthermore, sites processes and conditions different mean landform This is often ascribed on‐going transient evolution, heterogeneity processes, material properties, forcing, boundary conditions. Three surprising outcomes of evolution models suggest,...

Abstract Bedrock fractures influence the rates of surface processes that drive landscape evolution and are in turn influenced by landforms perturb ambient tectonic gravitational stress fields. In this modeling study, we examine how three‐dimensional topography regimes elastic fields bedrock fracture patterns beneath Earth's surface. We illustrate general effects landform orientation magnitude anisotropy using boundary element models stresses synthetic elongated ridges with different aspect...

Research Article| July 01, 2013 Covariation of climate and long-term erosion rates across a steep rainfall gradient on the Hawaiian island Kaua'i Ken L. Ferrier; Ferrier † 1Department Earth, Atmospheric, Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 77 Avenue, Cambridge, 02139-4307, USA †E-mail: ferrier@fas.harvard.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Taylor Perron; Perron Sujoy Mukhopadhyay; Mukhopadhyay 2Department Earth Harvard University, 02138,...

Abstract Theoretical calculations indicate that elastic stresses induced by surface topography may be large enough in some landscapes to fracture rocks, which turn could influence slope stability, erosion rates, and bedrock hydrologic properties. These typically have involved idealized topographic profiles, with few direct comparisons of predicted observed fractures at specific field sites. We use a numerical model calculate the measured profiles compare calculated stress shallow boreholes....