T184 A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of Sinuous Channel Evolution in Different Environments (Posters)
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall C
SEDIMENT INTERACTIONS IN AXIAL AND TRANSVERSE ALLUVIAL SYSTEMS
Paper number: T184-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Authors
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Sean D. ConnellNew Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Albuquerque, NM
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Gary A. SmithUniversity of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
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Chris PaolaUniv of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Elisabeth SteelUniversity of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Abstract
We present a geometric, sediment mass-balance model for the interaction of axial and transverse alluvial systems in a subsiding basin. Comparing the model result with a flume experiment that employed a half-graben tectonic geometry with axial and transverse sediment sources allows quantification of axial-transverse erosional sediment mixing. In the experiment, lateral erosion rate at the axial-transverse boundaries is scaled with sediment supplies delivered by transverse drainages but with neither water (and sediment) discharge from the axial channel nor tectonic tilting rate. The model uses an empirical lateral-erosion rate to show how the sediment supply partitioned between hanging wall and footwall drainages controls the width and the location of the axial-channel belt. Comparing the modeling results with field cases demonstrates that transverse sediment fluxes could slow the axial-channel migration or even reverse the movement against the tectonic forcing.