See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Sediment in Fluvial Systems: Production, Transport, and Storage at the Watershed Scale II
Abstract:
A fundamental question concerning alluvial fan evolution is determining what factors control depositional processes (e.g. sheetfloods or debris flows) on fan surfaces. While basin characteristics and fault activity (e.g. basin area and ruggedness) play a large role in fan development, preliminary observations suggest that Quaternary climate change punctuates the timing of depositional process through controls on sediment production, storage, and transport. We investigate the influence of basin characteristics on depositional processes in the Lost River Range through stratigraphic analysis of fan sediments and quantification of basin and fan characteristics including drainage basin area, fan slope, basin ruggedness, and sediment volumes. Additionally, relict surfaces in the area may be used to estimate the amount of sediment made available for subsequent fan formation by calculating the volume of material removed during incision and dissection. The results will be calibrated with ongoing geochronological studies (OSL and U-series) to assess how depositional processes have changed over time.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Sediment in Fluvial Systems: Production, Transport, and Storage at the Watershed Scale II