Lithological and fluvial controls on the geomorphology of tropical montane stream channels in Puerto Rico

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
An extensive survey and topographic analysis of 5 watersheds draining the Luquillo Mountains in north-eastern Puerto Rico was conducted to decouple the relative influences of lithologic and hydraulic forces in shaping the morphology of tropical montane stream channels. GIS-based topographic analysis was used to examine channel profiles, and survey data were used to analyze downstream changes in channel geometry, grain sizes, stream power, and shear stresses. The results suggest that although there is apparent bedrock and lithologic control on local reach-scale channel morphology, strong fluvial forces acting over time have been sufficient to override boundary resistance and give rise to systematic basin-scale patterns.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2010, vol. 35, n°. 12, p. 1402-1417, nombre de pages : 16, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2010

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley