CSDMS 2014 annual meeting - Uncertainty and Sensitivity in Surface Dynamics Modeling
A numerical modeling study of the effects of sediment properties on deltaic processes and morphology
Abstract
We use numerical modeling to explain how deltaic processes and morphology are controlled by properties of the sediment input to the delta apex. We conducted 36 numerical experiments of delta formation varying the following sediment properties: median grain size, grain-size distribution shape, and percent cohesive sediment. As the dominant grain size increases deltas undergo a morphological transition from elongate with few channels to semi-circular with many channels. This transition occurs because the critical shear stress for erosion and the settling velocity of grains in transport set both the number of channel mouths on the delta and the dominant delta-building process. Together, the number of channel mouths and dominant process – channel avulsion, mouth bar growth, or levee growth – set the delta morphology. Coarse-grained, non-cohesive deltas have many channels that are dominated by avulsion, creating semi-circular planforms with relatively smooth delta fronts. Intermediate-grained deltas have many channels that are dominated by mouth bar growth, creating semi-circular planforms with bifurcated channel networks and rugose delta fronts. Fine-grained, cohesive deltas have a few channels, the majority of which are dominated by levee growth, creating elongate planforms with smooth delta fronts. The process-based model presented here provides a previously lacking mechanistic understanding of the effects of sediment properties on delta channel network and planform morphology.
Please acknowledge the original contributors when you are using this material. If there are any copyright issues, please let us know (CSDMSweb@colorado.edu) and we will respond as soon as possible.
Of interest for:
