Decoherence, quantum theory and their implications for the philosophy of geomorphology
Concept ; England ; Geomorphology ; Philosophy of sciences ; Quantummechanics ; United Kingdom
This paper draws lessons from quantummechanics and the related concepts of decoherence and entanglement to explore the theoretical limitations of both of these existing approaches to geomorphology. It is suggested that empiricist and realist
In the international literature on today’s urban condition, Flanders is presented as prime example of urban sprawl, generally described as unplanned incremental development induced by the quantum leap of private car ownership. The research on rural
. The analysis—which crosses the divides between disciplines (landscape and infrastructure planning), concepts (rural-urban, modern-traditional), and geographical scales (national, regional, local)—reveals consistently planned mechanisms of public works policy
Socio-geographical systems, institutional mechanisms and risk processes
The paper considers the character of socio-geographical systems. It is concerned with complex characteristics of socio-geographical systems and basic types of institutional mechanisms. The paper makes an attempt to elaborate on a qualitative model
of socio-geographical systems with different mechanisms relating to social inequalities and territorial differentiations. There are considered conceptualisations of uncertainty and risk in relations to socio-geographical systems. - (EN)
The status of reinforcement and stabilisation mechanisms in landform development
It is proposed that both mechanisms are already appreciated by geomorphologists and that rather than offering an alternative or replacement of any part of the conventional models of landscape development, they illustrate principles already
recognized by a number of existing models as well as fundamental reactions implicit in understanding of process. These mechanisms are dependent on the scale factors.
The growth and decline of a mechanical agriculture scheme in West Africa
A detailed study of a mechanical cultivation scheme for rice in the riverain grasslands of southern Sierra Leone suggests that its failure was due to faults in the technological organization and to the lack of support and understanding from central
Mechanism for the instability of slopes composed of granular materials
The mechanism of instability of slopes composed of granular materials was examined through a tilting-box experiment using an assembly of aluminium rods and direct shear tests. Avalanching of granular materials is triggered by rotation of rods
at the slope surface. The force inducing the rotation was caused by the weight of the particles transmitted through contact points. Therefore, the mechanism of avalanching of granular materials was not comparable to the shear mechanism that has been considered
Mechanisms of loess-sized quartz silt production and their relative effectiveness : laboratory simulations
In this study a series of laboratory simulations was set up, with the purpose to demonstrate that a range of geomorphic mechanisms are capable of producing silt under laboratory conditions. The geomorphic mechanisms investigated were : aeolan
abrasion, fluvial comminution, glacial grinding, salt weathering and frost weathering. The relative effectiveness of these mechanisms at producing silt was then calculated in order to provide a starting point for a consideration of their potential
Fractionation mechanism of stable isotope in evaporating water body
This study quantificationally analyses the interaction between evaporating water body and atmosphere, and the influences of different factors on the evaporation by probing into the fractionation mechanism of stable isotope as water body is vaporized
In this contribution, an approach to measure mass balance and transport within rock glacier fronts is presented. The technique is applied to Gruben and Suvretta rock glaciers, Swiss Alps. The results confirm a conveyor belt-like advance mechanism
Analogue modeling of transverse drainage mechanisms
Fifteen physical experiments on a stream table replicated four general mechanisms proposed to explain transverse drainage development, namely antecedence, superimposition, overflow, and piracy. The experimental design encompassed multiple strategies
to effectively replicate the different mechanisms. These experiment roughly emulate natural fluvial processes including aggradation, lateral erosion, degradation, knickpoint retreat, ponding, and overflow. The experiments address landscape morphology
A review of rockfall mechanics and modelling approaches
Bibliography ; Comparative study ; Geographical information system ; Model ; Natural hazards ; Rock mechanics ; Rockfall ; Slope ; Slope dynamics
This study summarizes existing rockfall models and proposes modifications to make them suitable for predicting rockfall at a regional scale. First, the basic mechanics of rockfall are summarized. Secondly, existing models are divided in 3 groups
Quantifying the mechanical and hydrologic effects of riparian vegetation on streambank stability
This paper reports a field monitoring and computer-modelling investigation that has been carried out in northern Mississippi to quantify the separate and combined hydrologic and mechanical effects of 3 different vegetation covers (mature trees