Response of bedrock channel width to tectonic forcing: Insights from a numerical model, theoretical considerations, and comparison with field data

Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth

Volumn 114, Issue 3, 2009, Pages

  Turowski, Jens M ^a,b   Lague, Dimitri ^c   Hovius, Niels ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE   (United Kingdom)

^b SWISS FEDERAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE WSL   (Switzerland)

^c UNIVERSITÉ DE RENNES 1   (France)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

BEDROCK; CHANNEL MORPHOLOGY; FIELD METHOD; NUMERICAL MODEL; STRUCTURAL CONTROL; TECTONIC EVOLUTION; TECTONIC SETTING; THEORETICAL STUDY; POTENTIAL ENERGY; RIVER CHANNEL; SHEAR STRESS; TECTONICS;

EID: 77953107279     PISSN: 21699313     EISSN: 21699356     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1029/2008JF001133     Document Type: Article

References (75)

1. Amos, C. B., and D. W. Burbank. (2007), Channel width response to differential uplift, J. Geophys. Res., 112, F02010, doi:10.1029/2006JF000672.
2. Bagnold, R. A. (1977), Bedload transport by natural rivers, Water Resour. Res., 13, 303-331, doi:10.1029/WR013i002p00303.
3. Brocard, G. Y., and P. A. van der Beek (2006), Influence of incision rate, rock strength, and bedload supply on bedrock river gradients and valleyfiat widths: Field-based evidence and calibrations from western Alpine rivers (southeast France), in Tectonics, Climate, and Landscape Evolution, edited byS. D. Willet et al., Spec Pap. Geol. Soc. Am., 398, 127-141, doi : 10.1130/2006.2398(07).
4. Cowie, P. A., A. C Whittaker, M. Attal, G. Roberts, G. E. Tucker, and A. Ganas (2008), New constraints on sediment-flux-dependent river incision: Implications for extracting tectonic signals from river profiles, Geology, 36, 535-538, doi:10.1130/G24681A.l.
5. Craddock, W. H., D. W. Burbank, B. Bookhagen, and E. J. Gabet (2007), Bedrock channel geometry along an orographic rainfall gradient in the upper Marsyandi River valley in central Nepal, J. Geophys. Res., 112, F03007, doi:10.1029/2006JF000589.
6. Diplas, P. (1990), Characteristics of self-formed straight channels, J. Hydrol. Eng, 116, 707-727, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1990)116: 5(707).
7. Duvall, A., E. Kirby, and D. W. Burbank (2004), Tectonic and lithologie controls on bedrock channel profiles and processes in coastal California, J. Geophys. Res., 109, F03002, doi:10.1029/2003.TF000086.
8. Fernandez Luque, R., and R. van Beek (1976), Erosion and transport of bed-load sediment, J. Hydraul. Res., 14, 127-144.
9. Fmnegan, N. J., G. Roe, D. R. Montgomery, and B. Hallet (2005), Controls on the channel width of rivers: Implications for modelling fluvial incision of bedrock, Geology, 33(3), 229-232, doi:10.1130/G21171.1.
10. Fmnegan, N. J., L. Sklar, and T. K. Fuller (2007), Interplay of sediment supply, river incision, and channel morphology revealed by the transient evolution of an experimental bedrock channel, J. Geophys. Res., 112, F03S11, doi:10.1029/2006JF000569.
11. Gasparini, N. M., R. L. Bras, and K. X. Whipple (2006), Numerical modeling of non-steady-state river profile evolution using a sedimentflux-dependent incision model, in Tectonics, Climate, and Landscape Evolution, edited by S. D. Willet et al., Spec. Pap. Geol. Soc. Am., 398, 127-141, doi:10.1130/2006.2398(08).
12. Hack, J. T. (1957), Studies of longitudinal stream profiles in Virginia and Maryland, U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap., 294, 45-80.
13. Hancock, G., and R. S. Anderson (2002), Numerical modeling of fluvial strath terrace formation in response to oscillating climate, Geol Soc. Am. Bull, 114, 1131-1142. (Pubitemid 36049205)
14. Harbor, D. J. (1998), Dynamic equilibrium between an active uplift and the Sevier River, Utah, J. Geol., 106, 181-194, doi:10.1086/516015.
15. Hartshorn, K., N. Hovius, W. B. Dade, and R. L. Slingerland (2002), Climate-driven bedrock incision in an active mountain belt, Science, 297, 2036-2038, doi:10.1126/science.1075078.
16. Howard, A. D. (1994), A detachment-limited model of drainage basin evolution, Water Resour. Res., 30, 2261-2285, doi: 10.1029/ 94WR00757.
17. Howard, A. D., and G. Kerby (1983), Channel changes in badlands, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 94, 739-752, doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1983)94< 739:CCIB>2.0.CO;2.
18. Huang, H. Q., H. H. Chang, and G. C. Nanson (2004), Minimum energy as the general form of critical flow and maximum flow efficiency and for explaining variations in river channel pattern, Water Resour. Res., 40, W04502, doi:10.1029/2003WR002539.
19. Humphrey, N. F., and S. K. Konrad (2000), River incision or diversion in response to bedrock uplift, Geology, 28, 43-46, doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2000) 28<43:RIODIR>2.0.CO;2.
20. Jansen, J. D. (2006), Flood magnitude-frequency and lithologie control on bedrock river incision in post-orogenic terrain, Geomorphology, 82, 39-57, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.08.018.
21. Johnson, J. P., and K. X. Whipple (2007), Feedbacks between erosion and sediment transport in experimental bedrock channels, Earth Surf. Processes Landforms, 32, 1048-1062, doi:10.1002/esp,1471.
22. Khodashenas, S. R., and A. Paquier (1999), A geometrical method for computing the distribution of boundary shear stress across irregular straight open channels, J. Hydraul. Res., 37, 381-388.
23. Knight, D. W., and H. S. Patel (1985), Boundary shear in smooth rectangular ducts, J. Hydrol. Eng, 111, 29-41, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)07339429(1985) 111:1(29).
24. Knight, D. W., J. D. Demetriou, and M. E. Hamed (1984), Boundary shear in smooth rectangular channels, J. Hydrol Eng., 110, 405-422, doi:10.1061/(ASCE) 0733-9429(1984)110:4(405). (Pubitemid 151111)
25. Lague, D., N. Hovius, and P. Davy (2005a), Discharge, discharge variability, and the bedrock channel profile, J. Geophys. Res., 110, F04006, doi: 10.1029/2004JF000259.
26. Lague, D., J. M. Turowski, P. Davy, and N. Hovius (2005b), The width (and slope) of an incising river: Analytical solution and comparison with natural and experimental channels, Geophys. Res. Abstr, 7, 04876.
27. Lavé, J., and J. P. Avouac (2001), Fluvial incision and tectonic uplift across the Himalayas of central Nepal, J. Geophys. Res., 106(B11), 26, 561-26, 591, doi:10.1029/2001JB000359.
28. Leopold, L. B., and T. Maddock Jr. (1953), The hydraulic geometry of stream channels and some physiographic implications, U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap., 252, 57 pp.
29. Lundgren, H., and I. G. Jonsson (1964), Shear and velocity distribution in shallow channels, J. Hydraul. Eng. Div. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng., 1, 1-21.
30. Manning, R. (1891), On the flow of water in open channels and pipes, Trans. Inst. Civ. Eng., 20, 161-207.
31. Meyer-Peter, E., and R. Müller (1948), Formulas for bed-load transport, in Proceedings of the 2nd Meeting of the International Association for Hydraulic Structures Research, pp.39-64, Int. Assoc. of Hydraul. Eng. and Res., Delft, Netherlands.
32. 'Molnar, P. (2001), Climate change, flooding in arid environments, and erosion rates, Geology, 29, 1071-1074, doi:10.1130/0091-7613(2001) 029<1071:CCFIAE>2.0.CO;2.
33. Molnar, P., R. S. Anderson, G. Kier, and J. Rose (2006), Relationships among probability distributions of stream discharges in floods, climate, bed load transport, and river incision, J. Geophys. Res., 111, F02001, doi:10.1029/2005JF000310.
34. Montgomery, D. R. (2004), Observations on the role of lithology in strath terrace formation and bedrock, channel width, Am. J. Sci, 304, 454-476, doi:10.2475/ajs.304.5.454.
35. Montgomery, D. R., and K. B. Gran (2001), Downstream variations in the width of bedrock channels, Water Resour. Res., 37(6), 1841-1846, doi:10.1029/2000WR900393.
36. Park, C. C. (1977), World-wide comparison in hydraulic geometry exponents of stream channels: An analysis and some observation, J. Hydrol. Amsterdam, 33, 133-146, doi:10.1016/0022-1694(77)90103-2.
37. Parker, G. (1978a), Self-formed straight rivers with equilibrium banks and mobile bed. Part 1. The sand-silt river, J. Fluid Mech, 89, 109-125, doi:10.1017/S0022112078002499. (Pubitemid 9404079)
38. Parker, G. (1978b), Self-formed straight rivers with equilibrium banks and mobile bed. Part 2. The gravel river, J. Fluid Mech, 89, 127-146, doi:10.1017/S0022112078002505. (Pubitemid 9404080)
39. Parker, G. (1990), Surface-based bedload transport relation for gravel. rivers, J. Hydraul. Res., 28, 417-436.
40. Parker, G., P. R. Wilcock, C. Paola, W. E. Dietrich, and J. Pitlick (2007), Physical basis for quasi-universal relations describing bankfull hydraulic geometry of single-thread gravel bed rivers, J. Geophys. Res., 112, F04005, doi:10.1029/2006JF000549.
41. Pazzaglia, F. J., and M. T. Brandon (2001), A fluvial record of long-term steadystate uplift and erosion across the Cascadia Forearc High, western Washington State, Am. J. Sci., 301, 385-431, doi:10.2475/ajs.301.4-5.385. (Pubitemid 36922784)
42. Pearce, S. A., F. J. Pazzaglia, and M. C. Eppes (2004), Ephemeral stream response to growing folds, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull, 116, 1223-1239, doi:10.1130/B25386.1.
43. Pizzuto, J. E. (1991), A. numerical method for calculating the distribution of boundary shear stress across irregular straight open channels, Water Resour. Res., 27, 2457-2466, doi:10.1029/91WR01469.
44. Robert, A. (2003), River Processes -An Introduction to Fluvial Dynamics, Oxford. Univ. Press, New York.
45. Roberts, G. P., and A. M. Michetti (2004), Spatial and temporal variations in growth rates along active fault systems: An example from LazioAbruzzo, central Italy, J. Struct. Geol., 26, 339-376, doi:10.1016/ S0191-8141(03)00103-2.
46. Seidl, M. A., and W. E. Dietrich (1992), The problem of channel erosion into bedrock, in Functional Geomorphology, edited by K.-H. Schmidt and J. DePloey, Catena Suppl, 23, 101-124.
47. Shepherd, R. C. (1972), Incised river meanders: Evolution in simulated bedrock, Science, 178, 409-411, doi:10.1126/science.178.4059.409.
48. Sklar, L., and W. E. Dietrich (2004), A mechanistic model for river incision into bedrock by saltating bed load, Water Resour. Res., 40, W06301, doi:10.1029/2003WR002496.
49. Sklar, L., and W. E. Dietrich (2006), The role of sediment in controlling steady-state bedrock channel slope: Implications of the saltation-abrasion incision model, Geomorphology, 82, 58-83, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph. 2005.08.019.
50. Snyder, N. P., K. X. Whipple, G. E. Tucker, and D. J. Merritts (2003a), Channel response to tectonic forcing: Field analysis of stream morphol-ogy and hydrology in the Mendocino triple junction region, northern California, Geomorphology, 53, 97-127, doi: 10.1016/S0169-555X(02)00349-5.
51. Snyder, N. P., K. X. Whipple, G. E. Tucker, and D. J. Merritts (2003b), Importance of a stochastic distribution of floods and erosion thresholds in the bedrock river incision problem, J. Geophys. Res., 108(B2), 2117, doi:10.1029/200:1JB001655.
52. Stark, C. P. (2006), A self-regulating model of bedrock river channel geometry, Geophys.'Res. Lett., 33, L04402, doi:10.1029/2005GL023193.
53. Stock, J. D., and D. R. Montgomery (1999), Geologic constraints on bedrock river incision using the stream-power law, J. Geophys. Res., 104, 4983-4993, doi:10.1029/98JB02139.
54. Tomkin, J. H., M. T. Brandon, F. J. Pazzaglia, J. R. Barbour, and S. D. Willett (2003), Quantitative testing of bedrock incision models for the Clearwater River, NW Washington State, J. Geophys. Res., 108(B6), 2308, doi:10.1029/2001JB000862.
55. Tucker, G. E. (2004), Drainage basin sensitivity to tectonic and climatic forcing: Implications of a stochastic model for the role of entrainment and erosion thresholds, Earth Surf. Processes Landforms, 29, 185-205, doi:10.1002/esp,1020.
56. Tucker, G. E., and K. X. Whipple (2002), Topographic outcomes predicted by stream erosion models: Sensitivity analysis and intermodel comparison, J. Geophys. Res., 107(B9), 2179, doi:10.1029/2001JB000162.
57. Turowski, J. M., D. Lague, A. Crave, and N. Hovius (2006), Experimental channel response to tectonic uplift, J. Geophys. Res., 111, F03008, doi:10.1029/2005JF000306.
58. Turowski, J. M., D. Lague, and N. Hovius (2007), Cover effect in bedrock abrasion: A new derivation and its implications for the modeling of bedrock channel morphology, J. Geophys. Res., 112, F04006, doi:10.1029/ 2006.TF000697.
59. Turowski, J. M., N. Hovius, M.-L. Hsieh, D. Lague, and M.-C. Chen (2008a), Distribution of erosion across bedrock channels, Earth Surf Processes Landforms, 33, 353-363, doi:10.1002/esp.1559.
60. Turowski, J. M., N. Hovius, A. Wilson, and M.-J. Horng (2008b), Hydraulic geometry, river sediment and the definition of bedrock channels, Geomorphology, 99(1-4), 26-38, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.10.001.
61. van der Beek, P., and P. Bishop (2003), Cenozoic river profile development in the upper Lachlan catchment (SE Australia) as a test of quantitative fluvial incision Models, J. Geophys. Res., 108(B6), 2309, doi:10.1029/ 2002JB002125.
62. Vigilar, G. G., and P. Diplas (1997), Stable channels with mobile bed: Formulation and numerical solution, J. Hydraul. Eng., 123, 189-199, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1997)123:3(189). (Pubitemid 27243296)
63. Whipple, K. X. (2004), Bedrock rivers and the geomorphology of active orogens, Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci, 32, 151-185, doi:10.1146/annurev. earth.32.101802.120356.
64. Whipple, K. X., and G. E. Tucker (1999), Dynamics of the stream-power river incision model: Implications for height limits of mountain ranges, landscape response timescales, and research needs, J. Geophys. Res., 104, 17, 661-17, 674, doi:10.1029/1999JB900120.
65. Whipple, K. X., and G. E. Tucker (2002), Implications of sediment-fluxdependent river incision models for landscape evolution, J. Geophys. Res., 107(B2), 2039, doi:10.1029/2000JB000044.
66. Whipple, K. X., G. S. Hancock, and R. S. Anderson (2000), River incision into bedrock: Mechanics and relative efficacy of plucking, abrasion, and cavitation, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull, 112, 490-503, doi:10.1130/0016-7606(2000) 112<0490:RIIBMA>2.3.CO;2.
67. Whittaker, A. C., P. A. Cowie, M. Attai, G. E. Tucker, and G. P. Roberts (2007a), Bedrock channel adjustment to tectonic forcing: Implications for predicting river incision rates, Geology, 35, 103-106, doi: 10.1130/ G23106A.1. (Pubitemid 46243190)
68. Whittaker, A. C., P. A. Cowie, M. Attal, G. E. Tucker, and G. P. Roberts (2007b), Contrasting transient and steady-state rivers crossing active normal faults: New field observations from the central Apennines, Italy, Basin Res., 19, 529-556, doi:10.1111/j.21365-2117.2007.00337.x.
69. Wobus, C. W., G. E. Tucker, and R. S. Anderson (2006), Self-formed bedrock channels, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L18408, doi:10.1029/ 2006GL027182.
70. Wobus, C. W., J. W. Kean, G. E. Tucker, and R. S. Anderson (2008), Modeling the evolution of channel shape: Balancing computational efficiency with hydraulic fidelity, J. Geophys. Res., 113, F02004, doi:10.1029/2007JF000914.
71. Wohl, E. E. (2000), Mountain Rivers, Water Resour. Monogr. Ser., vol. 14, AGU, Washington, D. C.
72. Wohl, E. E. (2008), The effect of bedrock jointing on the formation of straths in the Cache la Poudre River drainage, Colorado Front Range, J. Geophys. Res., 113, F01007, doi:10.1029/2007JF000817.
73. Wohl, E. E., and G. C. L. David (2008), Consistency of scaling relations among bedrock and alluvial channels, J. Geophys. Res., 113, F04013, doi:10.1029/2008JF000989.
74. Wohl, E. E., and D. M. Merritt (2001), Bedrock channel morphology, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 113, 1205-1212, doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(2001) 113<1205:BCM>2.0.CO;2.
75. Yang, C. T., C. C. S. Song, and M. J. Woldenberg (1981), Hydraulic geometry and minimum rate of energy dissipation, Water Resour. Res., 17(4), 1014-1018, doi:10.1029/WR017i004p01014. (Pubitemid 12259928)