COntrols on alluvial aggradation and degradation during the steady fall of relative sea level: Theory

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

To explore the relative importance of sediment supply, basin physiography, and the rate of sea level fall on fluviodeltaic systems, we develope morphodynamic model of fluviodeltaic progradation across a uniformly sloping and steadily subsiding shelf surface.The model,which couples a diffusive treatment of the alluvial long profile to a delta foreset of specified geometry, emphasizes the rigorous treatment of the alluvial-basement transition and the shoreline asmoving boundaries. Our analysis suggests that the intrinsic fluviodeltaic response to steady sea-level fall consists of an initial period of widespread alluvial aggradation and coastal onlap,followed by alluvial degradation and sustained coastal offlap.At zero order,the onset of degradation occurswhen the duration of sea-level fall exceeds a characteristic fluviodeltaic response time. Our study demonstrates that the transition from alluvial aggradation to degradation requires neither spatial nor temporal variation in the rate of sea-level fall.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRiver, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics
Subtitle of host publicationRCEM 2005 - Proceedings of the 4th IAHR Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics
Pages675-684
Number of pages10
Volume2
StatePublished - Dec 1 2006
Event4th IAHR Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics, RCEM 2005 - Urbana, IL, United States
Duration: Oct 4 2005Oct 7 2005

Other

Other4th IAHR Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics, RCEM 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityUrbana, IL
Period10/4/0510/7/05

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