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Theoretical explanation for the incipient formation of meanders in straight rivers
Author(s) -
Bejan Adrian
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl009i008p00831
Subject(s) - meander (mathematics) , wavelength , geology , similarity (geometry) , geometry , statistical physics , physics , mathematics , optics , computer science , image (mathematics) , artificial intelligence
This paper advances a theoretical explanation for the lateral periodicity and geometric similarity of meanders observed in rivers of many sizes. Invoking the static equilibrium of a straight river bed, it is shown analytically that the equilibrium shape of the bed is a unique sinusoid. The theoretical wavelength of the sinusoidal shape is proportional to the width of the river, in agreement with visual observations of rivers of all sizes.