Abstract
We illustrate the potential for using physics-based modeling to link alluvial stratigraphy to large river morphology and dynamics. Model simulations, validated using Ground Penetrating Radar data from the Río Paraná, Argentina, demonstrate a strong relationship between bar-scale set thickness and channel depth, which applies across a wide range of river patterns and bar types. We show that hydrologic regime, indexed by discharge variability and flood duration, exerts a first-order influence on morphodynamics and hence bar set thickness, and that planform morphology alone may be a misleading variable for interpreting deposits. Indeed, our results illustrate that rivers evolving under contrasting hydrologic regimes may have verysimilar morphology, yet be characterized by marked differences in stratigraphy. This realization represents an important limitation on the application of established theory that links river topography to alluvial deposits, and highlights the need to obtain field evidence of discharge variability when developing paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Model simulations demonstrate the potential for deriving such evidence using metrics of paleocurrent variance.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3-6 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2016 |
Bibliographical note
© 2015 Geological Society of America. Gold Open Access. This paper is published under the terms of the CC-BY license.Fingerprint
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Phil Ashworth
- Vice-Chancellor's Office - Associate PVC Research and Knowledge Ex.
- Centre for Earth Observation Science
- Applied Geosciences Research and Enterprise Group
- Centre for Aquatic Environments
- Centre for Spatial, Environmental and Cultural Politics
Person: Academic