Badland ; Erosion rate ; Geomorphometry ; Model ; Quaternary ; Simulation ; Soil erosion ; Splash ; United States of America ; Utah ; Watershed ; Wisconsinan
A drainage basin simulation model is used to interpret the morphometry and historical evolution of Mancos Shale badlands in Utah. Field relationships and simulation modelling indicate that the badlands have resulted from rapid downcutting
of the master drainage below an Early Wisconsin terrace to the present river level, followed by base level stability. As a result, Early Wisconsin alluvial surfaces on the shale have been dissected up to 62m into steep badlands, and a Holocene alluvial surface
is gradually replacing the badland slopes which are eroding by parallel retreat.