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- EP31E-1711: Linking Downfan Variations in Avulsion Style to Gradient Transitions in Fluvial Fans
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Board 1711‚ Hall EFG (Poster Hall)NOLA CC
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Luke Gezovich, Colorado School of Mines (First Author, Presenting Author)
Samantha Mettel, Colorado School of Mines
Piret Plink-Bjorklund, Colorado School of Mines
Fluvial fans are large, fan-shaped landforms made of sediment deposited where rivers exit mountains or steep terrain. These landforms are important because they store water, support ecosystems, and preserve records of past climate change. However, fluvial fans are also prone to sudden and unpredictable flooding caused by avulsions—abrupt shifts in a river’s path. This study investigates the angles at which river channels branch or shift direction on fluvial fans. We focus on how these angles vary from the apex of the fan (near the mountains) to the toe (farther out in flatter terrain). Using fans from different climate zones, we measured avulsion angles and compared them to local land slopes and avulsion types. Preliminary findings suggest that channel branching angles increase farther down the fan, where slopes are gentler. This pattern reveals how slope and location influence how rivers shift on fluvial fans. Our results improve understanding of fluvial fan evolution and help identify areas more prone to avulsion. These findings also support comparisons to similar landforms on other planetary bodies, such as Mars and Titan.
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