| Abstract: | A method of analysis for predicting the time development of hillslope profiles is presented. The technique is based upon the assumption of weathering limited erosion and assumes that the local surface normal erosion rate is dependent upon the local flux of erosional agent and a function of the local slope gradient. This technique has been previously applied with success to analogous erosional processes in the sand blasting, chemical and energetic atom bombardment induced ablation of solids. The analysis shows how linearly segmented profiles can develop from initially curved surfaces and indicates the progress of profiles to stable end forms. Actual application to geomorphological situations is limited by lack of knowledge of micro-environmental erosion fluxes and the gradient dependence of erosion and it is suggested that field observations and laboratory simulations could be helpful in determining the utility of the analysis technique outlined here. |
