The Random Model in Fluvial Geomorphology.

Abstract

The paper describes a model of drainage basin composition that is primarily based on two postulates suggested by investigations of the role of randomness in drainage network development. The postulates are: (1) the topology of channel networks is random; (2) link lengths are independent random variables drawn from a common distribution. A third postulate, introduced to explain areal properties, is that the dimensionless parameter K studied by Melton and Shreve is approximately unity. Examples of the appplication of the random model in description, estimation, and explanation of drainage basin properties are given. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0768040

Entities

People

  • J. S. Smart

Organizations

  • IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Drainage Basins
  • Geomorphology
  • Mathematics
  • Random Variables
  • Topology

Fields of Study

  • Geology

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Riverine Ecology