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Quantitative characterization of channel network structure
Author(s) -
Smart J. S.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr008i006p01487
Subject(s) - dimensionless quantity , channel (broadcasting) , mathematics , similarity (geometry) , degree (music) , characterization (materials science) , lithology , set (abstract data type) , topology (electrical circuits) , geometry , computer science , statistics , algorithm , geology , combinatorics , physics , artificial intelligence , computer network , paleontology , mechanics , acoustics , optics , image (mathematics) , programming language
The most commonly used quantitative parameters for characterizing channel networks are derived from a Horton analysis (bifurcation ratios, stream length ratios, and so forth). Although these parameters give useful information about individual networks, they are generally ineffective in distinguishing differences in network structure due to lithologic controls and degree of maturity. As Shreve has noted, this failure is due in part to the random nature of network topology and link lengths and in part to the fact that the Horton analysis tends to average out many of the details that characterize such differences. Parameters derived from considerations of statistical geometric similarity, on the other hand, are relatively successful in characterizing network structure. For a simple example, let l e and l i be the mean exterior and interior link lengths, respectively, and a e and a i be the means of the associated drainage areas. Four dimensionless parameters that can be constructed from this set are λ = l e / l i α = a e / a i K e = l e 2 / a e and K i = l i 2 / a i . Data on λ, α, K e and K i for natural networks drawn from different geologic populations indicate that these quantities are effective in detecting differences due to varying lithology and degree of maturity.