The geomorphometry of endorheic drainage basins: implications for interpreting and modelling their evolution

Abstract

Endorheic basins are catchments with no hydrological connection with marine environments. They cover 20% of the Earth's surface, and are mostly located in arid regions. Their drainage networks converge to lakes, salt flats or alluvial plains, whose dynamics are strongly driven by precipitation, evapotranspiration and groundwater discharge, among other factors. Integrated surface drainage and the creation of whole drainage systems typical of open basins are commonly restricted in these regions. Interestingly, the fluvial basin morphology of endorheic basins has not been extensively studied, and a variety of quantitative morphological descriptors used in open basins have not been utilized in the geomorphic analysis of endorheic basins. The objective of this study is to better understand the basin morphology of endorheic river basins by using well‐known geomorphological properties and their variations across scales. For three basins in northern Chile we computed the following descriptors and the corresponding relevant scales: the cumulative distribution of contributing area, the horizontal shape of the basins (i.e. Hack's law, normalized Euclidean length, and sinuosity of the streams), slope–area relationship, Horton's ratios and drainage density. We detected several properties typically found in open basins, but certain features which seem to be unique to closed basins were also identified. In particular, we found that horizontal and vertical geomorphic features seem to be linked, which suggests that an independent treatment of these features may not be appropriate for closed basins. Similar results were found regardless of the basin area, which illustrates the relevant effects of features that are specific to these particular regions. It is expected that our findings will improve both the geomorphic assessment of these basins and hydrological modelling of surface water and groundwater. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An integrated analysis of the March 2015 Atacama floods

“…Its basin is at approximately 26°S, in a transition zone from hyperaridity in the northern Atacama to semiaridity to the south [Owen et al, 2011], and has an area of 7530 km 2 and maximum elevation of 4882 m. The basin includes zones typical of the Atacama Desert, extending from a Precordillera in the headwaters, to a Central Depression, to a Coastal Cordillera in the west. To the east and separated by a subtle topographic divide lies an endorheic basin that drains to the Salar de Pedernales [Dorsaz et al, 2013], and the Andean Cordillera ( Figure 1).…”

Geospatial Science and Technology for Understanding the Complexities of the Critical Zone

“…Geomorphometric parameters and objects are also essential input into GISbased simulations including surface energy budget, soil erosion, plant dispersion, and landscape evolution models (Pike, 2000;Haboudane et al, 2002;Dorsaz et al, 2013). Numerical simulations based upon topographic information can improve our understanding of complex systems related to geochronology, process mechanics, landscape mapping, resource assessment and inventory, and many other scientific and applied problems.…”

Morfogênese Do Sistema Fluvial Do Rift Continental Sudeste Do Brasil: Endorreísmo E Captura Fluvial

“…Bacias endorréicas referem-se a sistemas de drenagem que convergem para o interior de áreas emersas e não apresentam conexão hidrológica com o oceano (DORSAZ et al, 2013). Por vezes podem apresentar acumulação de sedimentos continentais oriundos do processo erosivo e deposicional do relevo no entorno, seja em ambiente fluvial ou lacustre.…”

“…Por vezes podem apresentar acumulação de sedimentos continentais oriundos do processo erosivo e deposicional do relevo no entorno, seja em ambiente fluvial ou lacustre. Representam, aproximadamente, 20% da superfície terrestre e localizam-se, em sua maioria, nas regiões áridas do planeta (NICHOLS, 2004;NICHOLS, 2007;DORSAZ et al, 2013) (ANTÓN, et al, 2012;GARCIA-CASTELLANOS et al, 2015;STOKES et al;2018;VACHERAT et al, 2018;STRUTH et al, 2019;CUNHA et al, 2019).…”

“…Great Salt Lake na América do Norte. Seu sistema de drenagem convergem para áreas topográficas mais rebaixadas, podendo formar lagos permanentes, ou lagos efêmeros em regioes mais secas, depósitos aluviais ou depósitos de sais(DORSAZ et al, 2013). formação de bacias endorreicas pode estar associada aos forelands em ambientes orogênicos, como no caso da bacia do rio Ebro na Espanha antes de ser incorporada para o sistema exorreico do oceano (GARCIA-CASTELLANOS & CLOETINGH, 2012).…”