Geomorphological evolution and sediment stratigraphy of numerically simulated alluvial fans

Welivitiya, W. D. D. P.; Willgoose, Garry; Hancock, Greg

doi:10.1002/esp.4872

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…• Lateral variability of these characteristics is greatest at the transition between the proximal and medial zone. et al, 2003;Welivitiya et al, 2020), single-channel belts (Karssenberg & Bridge, 2008) and parts of sedimentary basin fills (Bridge & Leeder, 1979;Yan et al, 2017). We suggest that linking governing parameters (initial surface, hydrology and sediment characteristics) to the resulting topology of architectural elements leads to a predictive stratigraphic model of DFS.…”

Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Stratigraphic forward modelling of distributive fluvial systems based on the Huesca System, Ebro Basin, northern Spain

et al. 2021

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To better understand the stratigraphic development of sedimentary systems, it is necessary to link the controls on sedimentary processes to the resulting deposits, which in turn allows predictions of stratigraphic architectures at a range of scales. We use a stratigraphic forward model to link the governing parameters to the distribution of deposits within a distributive fluvial system (DFS). The numerical model has been validated against outcrop observations to establish how the depositional processes needed to form the specific sedimentary system have been reproduced. We chose the previously studied Oligocene to Miocene Huesca DFS in northern Spain to investigate and calibrate the model. Additionally, downstream profiles from modern DFS in northern India, and hydrological measurements from the High Island Creek, Minnesota, USA, were used as input parameters for the model in addition to the outcrop data from the Huesca DFS. EAGE SNIEDER et al.

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Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Stratigraphic forward modelling of distributive fluvial systems based on the Huesca System, Ebro Basin, northern Spain

et al. 2021

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“…Its strength is in incorporating pedogenesis processes such as weathering and armouring into the landform evolution framework and is capable of simulating the soil profile evolution on an evolving landform. In previous work the performance of SSSPAM has been demonstrated through simulation of a synthetic hillslope (Welivitiya et al, 2019) and a synthetic alluvial fan (Welivitiya et al, 2020). This demonstrated that SSSPAM is capable of simulating various aspects of landform evolution observed in the field.…”

Section: Study Limitations and Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating a new landform evolution model: A case study using a proposed mine rehabilitation landform

Welivitiya

Willgoose

Hancock

2021

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Landform evolution models are powerful tools for determining long-term erosional stability and denudation rates spanning geological timescales. SIBERIA, CAESAR and CHILD are examples of these model. The newly developed State Space Soil Production and Assessment Model (SSSPAM) coupled soilscape-landform evolution model has the ability to assess overall erosion rates of catchment scale landforms either using short-term precipitation events, variable precipitation or time-averaged precipitation (annual average). In addition, SSSPAM has the capability of developing the subsurface soil profile through weathering and armouring. In SSSPAM, physical processes of pedogenesis such as erosion and armouring, diffusion, sediment deposition and weathering are modelled using a state space matrix approach. In this article we simulate the short-term evolution (100 years) of a proposed post-mining landform using both SIBERIA and SSSPAM and compare the erosion and sediment output results. For the short-term simulations SSSPAM's armouring capability was disabled. The models were then used to simulate the evolution of the catchment for 10,000 years. Results demonstrate that the short-term SSSPAM simulation results compare well with the results from the established landform evolution model SIBERIA. The long-term armouring disabled SSSPAM simulations produces simulated erosion rates comparable with SIBERIA simulations both of which are similar to upper limit of field measured denudation rates. The SSSPAM simulation using armouring demonstrated that armouring reduced the erosion rate of the catchment by a factor of 4 which is comparable with the lower limit of field measured denudation rates. This observation emphasizes the importance of armouring in long-term evolution of landforms. Soil profile cross-sections developed from the same results show that SSSPAM can also reproduce subsurface soil evolution and stratification and spatial variability of soil profile characteristics typically observed in the field.

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“…Hairsine & Rose, 1992a, 1992b, with the major focus being on erosion. Modelling deposition is a research area that needs to be addressed, given its importance both for landscape evolution and gully evolution (Barnhart et al, 2020a;Coulthard & Skinner, 2016;Welivitiya et al, 2016Welivitiya et al, , 2019Welivitiya et al, , 2020.…”

Section: Model Features and Functionalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting gully erosion using landform evolution models: Insights from mining landforms

Hancock

Willgoose

2021

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Incision as a result of fluvial erosion is an important process to model when simulating landform evolution. For gullies, it is apparent that coupled with the processes that cause incision there must be a range of processes that stop incision. Once started, rills and gullies will grow infinitely without a reduction in support area and/or being arrested by deposition and armouring. Some of these processes have been well studied under the heading of inter-rill erosion. Other limiting processes are related to the shape of the landform and how downstream deposition areas are linked geomorphically to the upstream gullies. Armouring is also an important process that reduces gully incision and extension, where the gully erodes to bedrock and the resistant base limits further development. Post-mining landscapes are new surfaces with new materials and provide the opportunity to examine gully initiation, extension and stabilization. The work presented here has largely been driven by the mining industry, where there has been a need to assess erosion over hazardous wastes like mine tailings and low-level nuclear waste. We demonstrate the usefulness of computer-based landscape evolution models and the more recent soilscape models (that include both surface and subsurface processes) to understand both fluvial and diffusive processes as well as armouring in a digital elevation model framework (as well as landscape evolution). Landscape evolution models provide insights into complex non-linear systems such as gullies. A key need is that of field data to parameterize and validate the models. It is argued that current models have more capability than field data available for parameterization and importantly the validation of model outputs.

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Geomorphological evolution and sediment stratigraphy of numerically simulated alluvial fans

Cited by 10 publications

References 45 publications

Stratigraphic forward modelling of distributive fluvial systems based on the Huesca System, Ebro Basin, northern Spain

Stratigraphic forward modelling of distributive fluvial systems based on the Huesca System, Ebro Basin, northern Spain

Evaluating a new landform evolution model: A case study using a proposed mine rehabilitation landform

Predicting gully erosion using landform evolution models: Insights from mining landforms

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