Geomorphic and tectonic process rates: Effects of measured time interval

Research Article| March 01, 1987 Geomorphic and tectonic process rates: Effects of measured time interval Thomas W. Gardner; Thomas W. Gardner 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David W. Jorgensen; David W. Jorgensen 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christopher Shuman; Christopher Shuman 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Corinne R. Lemieux Corinne R. Lemieux 1Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1987) 15 (3): 259–261. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)152.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Thomas W. Gardner, David W. Jorgensen, Christopher Shuman, Corinne R. Lemieux; Geomorphic and tectonic process rates: Effects of measured time interval. Geology 1987;; 15 (3): 259–261. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)152.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Analysis of the original, numerical components of diverse geomorphic and tectonic process rates indicates that process rate is not independent of measured time interval. This implies that direct comparison of geologic process rates measured over variable time intervals may not be valid and that conclusions based on those comparisons regarding changes in rates through geologic time may be misleading in some cases. Calculation of statistically derived scaling functions is one approach that can be used to account for this measurement-interval bias and to improve comparisons of geologic-process rate data. When this approach is used, a 104 or 105 yr variation in the measured time interval accounts for approximately one order of magnitude change in the measured process rate. The magnitude of the correction can substantially affect conclusions of studies that compare uncorrected process rates calculated from variable time intervals. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.