Bedrock river erosion through dipping layered rocks: quantifying erodibility through kinematic wave speed

Abstract. Landscape morphology reflects drivers such as tectonics and climate but is also modulated by underlying rock properties. While geomorphologists may attempt to quantify the influence of strength through direct comparisons landscape metrics, recent work has shown that contact migration resulting from presence mixed lithologies hinder an approach. Indeed, this counterintuitively suggests channel slopes within weaker units can sometimes be higher than stronger units. Here, we expand upon previous with 1-D stream power numerical models in which have created a system for quantifying over time. Although studies developed theories bedrock rivers incising layered stratigraphy, now scrutinize these rates measured our models. Our results show previously theory generally robust reflect pattern kinematic wave speed across profile. Furthermore, tested new approach estimating speeds. This utilizes steepness, known base-level fall rate, dips. Importantly, demonstrate how combined estimate erodibility values. We accurately values used After demonstration, use near Hanksville, UT. Because one unit lower erodibilities Utah are likely representative mudstone and/or siltstone. The methods applied streams temporally constant fall, opening avenues research field geomorphology.