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@article{Zhou:2026:10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120021,
author = {Zhou, Z and Chandresh, R and Whittaker, A and Hampson, G and Bell, R},
doi = {10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120021},
journal = {Earth and Planetary Science Letters},
title = {Sediment supply controls on channel morphological adjustments to tectonics and lithology},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120021},
volume = {685},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - In nature, rivers not only incise bedrock but also transport sediment supplied to them; however, incision is often assumed to dominate over sediment transport in shaping channel geometry so as to exploit the simplicity of the stream power law. This likely flawed assumption raises fundamental concerns about inverting channel morphology to map external forcing, such as active deformation. Central to this issue is how relative sediment flux (i.e. sediment supply relative to transport capacity, Qs/Qt) modulates the efficacy of excess shear stress in incising bedrock, known as the relative sediment flux function. Two competing functions have been proposed, but resolving them in the field has proven challenging to date. Here, we address this issue by contrasting two rivers in the Gulf of Corinth, Greece that traverse comparable gradients in tectonics and lithology with distinct relative sediment fluxes. We show that the sediment-rich Phoenix river, with an estimated Qs/Qt value ∼0.8, has a much lower sensitivity of excess shear stress to tributary sediment input than the sediment-poor Sithas river. To our knowledge, this represents the first field evidence supporting the function with a markedly decreased sensitivity to Qs/Qt at high Qs/Qt values. This allows us to clarify the importance and mechanisms of channel slope versus width adjustment in reaching the excess shear stress required for equilibrium. As a result, we outline the conditions under which the widely used stream power law and its associated metrics, such as steepness and knickpoints, can (or cannot) be sensibly employed.
AU - Zhou,Z
AU - Chandresh,R
AU - Whittaker,A
AU - Hampson,G
AU - Bell,R
DO - 10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120021
PY - 2026///
SN - 0012-821X
TI - Sediment supply controls on channel morphological adjustments to tectonics and lithology
T2 - Earth and Planetary Science Letters
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120021
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X26002049?via%3Dihub
VL - 685
ER -
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