The probabilistic-topologic approach to drainage-basin geomorphology

Research Article| September 01, 1975 The probabilistic-topologic approach to drainage-basin geomorphology Ronald L. Shreve Ronald L. Shreve 1Department of Geology and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1975) 3 (9): 527–529. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1975)3<527:TPATDG>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ronald L. Shreve; The probabilistic-topologic approach to drainage-basin geomorphology. Geology 1975;; 3 (9): 527–529. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1975)3<527:TPATDG>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Although the probabilistic-topologic approach to drainage-basin geomorphology that I initiated unifies a wide variety of quantitative empirical geomorphic relationships, some geomorphologists have objected variously that it abandons the scientific method, that its emphasis on topologic properties causes it to miss the geomorphic components of drainage basins, that it lacks physical content, and that it is too complicated to be of practical value. In fact, however, it gives results that are generally simpler, better, and more practical than those given by other methods. It has physical content because it is founded on postulates that are observational statements about actual drainage basins. It emphasizes topologic properties because they dominate the orientation-free planimetric aspects of drainage basins. Finally, it is necessarily probabilistic because of the prominent random element in natural landscapes, which may result from instabilities that amplify small perturbations into large ones. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.