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Rapidly varying flow (RVF) in open channels is characterized by abrupt changes in flow depth over a short distance, with the rate of depth change relative to distance often approaching unity. These flows are inherently complex due to their transient and multi-dimensional nature, making exact analysis difficult. However, approximate solutions using simplified models provide valuable insights into their behavior.Key Features of Rapidly Varying FlowRVF is commonly observed in scenarios involving...
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Rules of river avulsion change downstream.

James H Gearon1, Harrison K Martin2,3, Clarke DeLisle2

  • 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. jake.gearon@gmail.com.

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|September 18, 2024
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Summary

River avulsions occur when channel slope and water level interact. Understanding these dynamics helps predict flood risks, especially in coastal areas and the Global South.

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Area of Science:

  • Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Geomorphology
  • Hydrology

Background:

  • River avulsions, where rivers form new paths, significantly impact floodplains and societies.
  • Traditional theories attribute avulsions to rivers being perched above floodplains or steeper flanking slopes.
  • These mechanisms have been historically considered separately.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test classical theories of river avulsion by quantifying floodplain topography.
  • To determine the interplay between channel slope and perched water levels in triggering avulsions.
  • To develop a unified theoretical framework for predicting river avulsion vulnerability and path.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of topography surrounding actively avulsing rivers.
  • Comparative analysis of topographic conditions near coastal regions versus mountain fronts.
  • Development of a new theoretical model integrating slope and perched water level dynamics.

Main Results:

  • River avulsions result from a combination of steeper flanking slopes and perched water levels, not solely one factor.
  • Near coasts, steeper slopes away from the channel are primary drivers, not perched water.
  • Near mountain fronts, rivers avulse when perched above the landscape due to similar path slopes.

Conclusions:

  • A new theoretical framework reconciles differing avulsion mechanisms based on geographic context.
  • Avulsion risks, particularly in coastal environments, may be underestimated.
  • Probabilistic avulsion path prediction offers efficient hazard mapping, benefiting regions like the Global South.