Hillslope evolution in response to lateral base level migration
Name
1027787276-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
6.21 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
dcc55263e011a61177df404ec1f0b3e8
Author(s)
Hamon, Jennifer L.
Advisor(s)
Taylor Perron.
Date Issued
2010
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Hillslopes evolve in response to base level change, sediment production, and sediment transport. Many previous studies have focused on hillslopes undergoing vertical base level migration due to tectonic forcing and bedrock incision. Many geomorphic features, however, are characterized by lateral hillslope retreat and have not been adequately studied. Here I adapt a theory of linear diffusive hillslope evolution to relate the velocity of lateral hillslope retreat to the steady-state hillslope form. A case study in a Florida sapping network, in which headward migration of seepage faces in a sandy soil sets the base level for the surrounding hillslopes, provides numerous opportunities to test the analytical model by direct measurement. Measurements of hillslopes in the Florida sapping network found quantitative agreement between the predicted and observed hillslope morphology. An expected relationship between geometric drainage area and channel growth velocity was not borne out in the data, but the distribution of measured v/K ratios is consistent with what I expect based on my preferential sampling of slow-moving gently-sloped heads. Several explanations are given to explain why the expected relationship with drainage area is not observed, and suggestions for future work based on these findings is offered.
Description
Thesis: S.B., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 32-33).
Subjects
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Terms of Use
MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.
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