Geomorphology最新文献

{"title":"An intense peak of paraglacial dismantlement of mountain slopes: Insights from dating and volume quantification of rock-slope failure deposits in the Icelandic Westfjords (Dýrafjörður and Önundarfjörður)","authors":"Emilie Portier ,&nbsp;Denis Mercier ,&nbsp;Armelle Decaulne ,&nbsp;Etienne Cossart","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Paraglacial rock slope failures (RSFs) are prominent processes of landscape evolution in deglaciated terrains, such as the Westfjords of Iceland. This study aims to provide chronological and volumetric data on RSF deposits in the Dýrafjörður and Önundarfjörður fjords, in order to document the magnitude, duration, and geomorphic impact of the intense peak of Early and Middle Holocene paraglacial denudation. By refining the timing of a paraglacial signal, this work contributes to a better understanding of sedimentary production and landscape evolution during the Holocene.</div><div>A total of 17 RSFs was studied, described and mapped using the Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating method, calibrated with radiocarbon dating. Surficial block morphometry and volumetric estimates of RSF deposits were derived from field measurements, orthophotography, and high-resolution digital elevation models.</div><div>RSF ages are concentrated in the Early to Middle Holocene. The vast majority of this activity occurred between 12 and 6 cal. ka BP. During this 6000-year interval, ~83 million m³ of debris were deposited, which accounts for approximately 90% of the total volume (~92.5 M m³) from all 17 RSF sites. This indicates a primary paraglacial adjustment phase characterized by high sediment delivery efficiency. Slope reactivations occurred over periods up to 3400 years, with superimpositions of deposits: these are multi-phased RSFs.</div><div>Finally, a significant lag of approximately 3000 years is observed between the deglaciation (~10.2 cal. ka BP) and the peak in rock-slope failure activity (8–6 cal. ka BP), which coincides with the Holocene Thermal Maximum climax in Iceland (8.6–5.2 cal. ka BP). The subsequent cessation of major RSFs activity after ~4 cal. ka BP marks the transition to a stable, non-glacial equilibrium.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"497 ","pages":"Article 110170"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ongoing geological processes on the flanks of active volcanoes. A multi-scale geomorphological approach applied to the La Fossa Caldera (Vulcano Island, Italy)","authors":"Denise Petronelli ,&nbsp;Claudia Romagnoli ,&nbsp;Martina Pierdomenico ,&nbsp;Alessandro Bosman ,&nbsp;Francesco Latino Chiocci ,&nbsp;Daniele Casalbore","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The integrated analysis of successive multibeam bathymetry surveys and seafloor videos acquired from 2005 to 2023 provides crucial insights into the recent morphological evolution of the submerged part of La Fossa Caldera (Vulcano Island). The caldera floor is carved by a network of gullies and channels that often incise a coastal platform and submarine depositional terrace. Gullies are short (~15–430 m) and steep (~30°) erosional features characterized by their V-shaped cross-sections. In contrast, channels are relatively long (~350–1180 m) and flat-bottomed features. Channels show average slope gradients of ~15° and often host upper-flow regime bedforms along their thalweg, most of which have wavelengths of ~10–80 and heights of ~0.5–2 m. Despite the geologically-active setting of the study area, repeated multibeam surveys shows only minor morphological changes on the seafloor over the last 20 years. Seafloor erosion is dominant and often associated with small-scale retrogressive slope failures at the channel head, likely triggered by earthquakes or storm-waves that frequently hit the area. Seafloor erosion due to sediment-laden flows is observed offshore the Rio Grande creek, where coarse-grained deposits mixed with accumulation of plant debris are common. Small-scale rock-falls dominate the evolution of a steep escarpment that bounds the coastal platform, as testified by accumulation of squared metric blocks at their base. This study highlights the importance of multi-temporal and multi-scale geomorphological approaches to understand erosional processes that shape submarine volcanic flanks. Our results have key implications for geohazard assessments in such areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"497 ","pages":"Article 110178"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of geomorphic indices and seismotectonic insights for assessing the role of relative active tectonics in the evolution of the Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing River Basins in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, India","authors":"Anwesha Dutta Hazarika ,&nbsp;Devika Maisnam ,&nbsp;Santanu Baruah ,&nbsp;Manoj Kr. Phukan","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents a thorough geomorphological and seismotectonic investigation of the Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing catchments, which drain the alluvial plains of the Brahmaputra River in Upper Assam and adjacent regions of Northeast (NE) India. In this study, we attempt to assess how the active tectonic processes have influenced the landform evolution of the river basins during the Quaternary. In the present research, we employ remotely sensed data and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques to identify geomorphic signatures of active tectonics. Given the area's history of significant seismic activity, it presents a natural laboratory to examine the impact of neotectonic processes on drainage morphology and to quantify deformation during the Quaternary. To evaluate spatial variations in relative tectonic activity across the catchments, five geomorphic indices are analysed at the micro sub-basin scale, culminating in the calculation of the Index of Relative Active Tectonics (<em>IRAT</em>). The <em>IRAT</em> results suggest that both basins are highly influenced by active tectonic structures. High values of Channel Steepness Index (<em>K</em>_<em>sn</em>) were observed in the upstream area across the major regional thrusts, signifying active tectonics influencing the studied basins. Earthquake waveform inversion indicates dominance of strike-slip to oblique-reverse faulting. Within the Mishmi Range (MR), the overall principal compressive stress axis (P-axis) is oriented normal to its trend while inconsistent orientation is observed within the Naga-Patkai Range (NPR). Stress tensor inversion shows that the regional stress acting along NW-SE, is in conformity with the Indo-Burma subduction tectonics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"497 ","pages":"Article 110175"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145996269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding aeolian processes across sand dunes with varying stoss slope: Wind tunnel experiments","authors":"Sumaja Kolli ,&nbsp;Hassan Hemida ,&nbsp;Pradeep Kumar Dammala","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aeolian erosion (wind-led) is highly influenced by the morphology of sand dunes and wind flow patterns in the vicinity. In this paper, the influence of sand dune geometry on the flow dynamics and associated dune morphology is investigated. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted on scaled sand dune models to measure the velocity and pressure fields around three dune geometries of varying stoss slope (32^o, 20^o and sinusoidal shape) with identical lee slope (32^o). The obtained velocity profile, shear stress profile and surface pressure distribution represent the strategic wind flow characteristics around the dunes and provide insights into potential erosion patterns. Experimental results revealed that steeper slopes recorded lower wind speeds at crest, offering relatively higher erosion resistance. Nevertheless, erosion is expected at crest of all slopes which had higher wind speed and similar shear stress profile. Surface pressure data revealed the flow separation ahead of crest for sinusoidal dunes unlike 32^o and 20^o dunes with flow separation expected at crest. Furthermore, potential sand settlement is likely within observed low shear stress zones and preceding flow separation points. Spectral analysis represented through power spectral plots and integral length scale values revealed isotropic turbulence matching the Kolmogorov -5/3 spectrum and variation of eddy characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"497 ","pages":"Article 110177"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modelling tributary reforestation effects on downstream main channel fluvial geomorphology","authors":"Mincong Wang ,&nbsp;Joseph Claghorn ,&nbsp;Lu Zhuo ,&nbsp;Zhaowu Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110158","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110158","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reforestation is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution for sustainable environmental management, offering multiple ecological and hydrological benefits. However, its long-term geomorphic implications at the catchment scale remain insufficiently understood. This study investigates how the spatial configuration and placement of reforestation in tributary sub-basins influence the morphological stability of the main river channel. Using the CAESAR-Lisflood landscape evolution model, a range of reforestation scenarios over a 50-year period in the River Don catchment (UK) are simulated, focusing on three key variables: relative location (upstream vs downstream), topographic position (valley vs upland), and spatial configuration (consolidated vs dispersed). Key geomorphic indicators include changes in lateral channel migration, sediment discharge, erosion and deposition volumes, and planform metrics. The main findings suggest that reforestation in upstream and upland areas significantly improves the stability of the channel planform and efficiently reduces erosion in comparison to interventions occurring downstream and along the riparian corridor. Furthermore, the efficacy of enhancing the general stability of channel planforms is greater when larger, consolidated reforestation operations are implemented compared to several smaller, dispersed projects of equal area. These findings contribute to fluvial geomorphology by quantifying how tributary reforestation alters sediment connectivity and channel evolution in the main channel. They also offer practical guidance for designing reforestation strategies that maximize geomorphic resilience, particularly in resource-constrained restoration planning. By integrating spatially explicit modelling with geomorphic process understanding, this study advances the predictive capability of landscape evolution models and demonstrates their value in assessing long-term anthropogenic impacts on river systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"496 ","pages":"Article 110158"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An extended kinematic inventory, magnitude-frequency curves, and damage assessment of rock slope failures in the central Spanish Pyrenees","authors":"J. Guerrero ,&nbsp;M. Guerra ,&nbsp;G. Desir ,&nbsp;A. Serreta ,&nbsp;Y. Thiery ,&nbsp;P. Lucha","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new inventory of rock slope failures (RSFs) compiled in the central Spanish Pyrenees within the framework of the SPIRAL Project has identified 1232 RSFs, yielding a relatively low spatial density of 0.11 events per km². These RSFs exhibit very slow to extremely slow average displacement rates, ranging from 5 mm to 75 mm per year. Rock slides and earthflows are the most prevalent failure types, accounting for over 93% of the total, whereas rock slope deformations (RSDs), composite failures, and rock avalanches are comparatively rare. This predominance of rock slides and earthflows results in a shallower magnitude–frequency distribution relative to other mountainous regions. Lithology, glacial debuttressing, and slope angle are identified as the most influential conditioning factors. Most RSFs occur on slopes between 20° and 30°, especially in deglaciated settings and in bedrock composed of fine-grained, low-strength lithologies, such as turbidites, slates, marls, and evaporitic sequences, where weathering plays a critical role in promoting slope instability. Unfortunately, these relatively moderate slopes, which often correspond to relict landslide deposits, provided favourable conditions for the establishment of at least 25 human settlements in the past. These communities are now under threat and will require multimillion-euro investments to stabilize active movements. Furthermore, 41 RSFs intersect communication and irrigation networks, 138 affect ski resort infrastructures, 94 compromise paved roads, and 29 pose risks to dam safety. The estimated direct costs associated with active RSFs already exceed €152 million, and additional substantial mitigation efforts are anticipated in the near future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"498 ","pages":"Article 110172"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A novel approach for utilizing UAV imaging and deep learning techniques for river channel measurement and flood simulation","authors":"Jen-Yu Han ,&nbsp;Chun-Jia Huang ,&nbsp;Yuan-Shun Chang ,&nbsp;Yen-Cheng Lin ,&nbsp;Hao-Che Ho","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>River hydraulic analysis is a crucial prerequisite for disaster prevention. Traditionally, essential parameters for such analysis are acquired through field observations of the river channel, which are labor and cost intensive. This study employs image sensing techniques and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect extensive spatial information on river channels and generate both two-dimensional and three-dimensional data for rapid updating of riverbed attributes. The gravel size distribution of the riverbed can also be automatically detected and analyzed by deep learning techniques. Gravel parameters in the range of <span><math><msub><mi>D</mi><mn>50</mn></msub><mo>−</mo><msub><mi>D</mi><mn>90</mn></msub></math></span> were computed to further estimate the Manning's roughness coefficients. Finally, a hydraulics analysis was performed using the above derived parameters for river flood levels and fluid dynamics simulations. The results demonstrated accuracy of 95.39% in water level estimation as compared with true values. Therefore, the proposed innovative approach can greatly increase the efficiency of river hydraulic analysis and flooding simulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"496 ","pages":"Article 110173"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Topographic roughness of continuous ejecta deposits of kilometer-size simple craters on the Moon and Mars","authors":"Hanxing Ouyang ,&nbsp;Zhiyong Xiao ,&nbsp;Yichen Wang ,&nbsp;Yizhen Ma ,&nbsp;Fanglu Luo ,&nbsp;Rui Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Formed by deposition of proximal impact ejecta, continuous ejecta deposits of pristine simple craters on terrestrial planets exhibit varying morphology that reflect properties of pre-impact target materials. While some martian simple craters have layered ejecta deposits ascribable to high contents of target volatiles, typical simple craters on Mars have continuous ejecta deposits broadly similar to those on airless bodies such as the Moon and Mercury. Here we demonstrate that for typical pristine lunar and martian simple craters with diameters of 2–7 km that were formed on coeval volcanic units by impactors with comparable initial kinetic energy, the continuous ejecta deposits of the martian craters have smaller bidirectional slopes at baselines of 24–96 m. Correlated observations using high-resolution images show the rougher topography of lunar continuous ejecta deposits is mainly caused by the abundant decameter-sized boulders and concentric ridges and troughs, which are both rare on their martian counterparts. Additionally, the martian craters exhibit systematically smaller depth-to-diameter ratio and maximum ejecta thicknesses than their lunar counterparts, indicating that the transient cavities on Mars experienced larger gravitational collapses during the modification stage. Secondary craters (secondaries) are also scarce around martian craters, but abundant around lunar craters. An likely interpretation emerging from these observations is that the pre-impact target of typical martian simple craters contained notable amount of water and/or water ice, and the low melting and vaporization pressures of H₂O promoted additional fragmentation of the excavated materials, yielding finer ejecta and weaker transient cavity walls. This interpretation is consistent with the common occurrence of concentric ridges and troughs around simple craters on lunar maria, which are formed by local excavation during re-impacts of relatively large ejecta fragments. To testify the plausibility of this interpretation, we extended observations for the occurrence of concentric ridges and troughs around pristine simple craters in lunar highlands, where pre-impact target materials were more fractured than lunar maria. We notice that secondaries and concentric ridges and troughs are indeed atypical and sparse around pristine simple craters in lunar highlands. Likewise, we find that the obvious concentric ridges and troughs are generally lacked around martian craters, and most typical ones occur in young volcanic units that contain less pre-impact volatiles, such as summits of Olympus Mons. Therefore, concentric ridges and troughs were likely formed via secondary impacts by relatively large ejecta fragments, during which ejecta curtains formed by local excavation stalled ejecta flows from the uprange.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"496 ","pages":"Article 110176"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Constraints on the spatial distribution model of rock uplift in the eastern Tibetan Plateau by hypsometry analysis","authors":"Chongjian Shao ,&nbsp;Mingxing Gao ,&nbsp;Zhaokun Yan ,&nbsp;Yong Li ,&nbsp;Shao Liu ,&nbsp;Mei Yan","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spatial patterns of rock uplift derived from geomorphic analysis provide important constraints on uplift models for the Longmen Shan (LMS), eastern Tibetan Plateau. Based on channel steepness indices defining three zones of distinct rock uplift intensity—high, moderate, and low, earlier work found the spatial distribution of uplift correlates poorly with surface main faults, and hence favored lower crustal flow as the dominant uplift model. However, such geomorphic indices are subject to multi-interpretability. High channel steepness indexes, for instance, may reflect either localized rapid uplift, knickpoint retreat, or contrasts in bedrock erodibility. To reduce this uncertainty, we refine the evolution models of hypsometric integral (HI) and relief in weak uplift regions, regional overall uplift regions and active orogenic belts, and propose a new method to identify weak uplift regions or regional overall uplift regions based on two geomorphic criteria: (1) a negative correlation between HI and relief, and (2) the presence of interfluvial platforms exhibiting high positive values of normalized HI minus normalized relief. Application of this method, combined with previous findings, allows us to delineate the regional overall uplift regions and reduce the multi-interpretability of similar geomorphic indices across the study area. Based on these findings, we reconstruct the spatial distribution of rock uplift intensity, unlike earlier steepness-based interpretations, it is closely associated with main faults. This finding supports upper crustal shortening as a more viable model for LMS uplift than lower crustal flow.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"496 ","pages":"Article 110169"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interpretable machine learning-based analysis of driving factors for inverted channel morphology in the Qaidam Basin","authors":"Xuhua Weng ,&nbsp;Ninghua Chen ,&nbsp;Bowen Gao ,&nbsp;Xinhao Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Inverted fluvial channels serve as important paleoenvironmental indicators and are extensively distributed in arid regions of Earth and on other terrestrial planets such as Mars. The Qaidam Basin, which is considered an important analogue environment for Mars, contains abundant inverted channels. However, a comprehensive understanding of their distribution characteristics and the influence of environmental factors on their development is still lacking. This study focuses on revealing the driving factors of the inverted channels and their implications for paleoenvironments. The morphological characteristics of inverted channels in the Qaidam Basin show spatial heterogeneity. To unravel the governing mechanisms behind this spatial pattern, this study employed an integrated machine learning and SHAP interpretation approach with statistical techniques, including Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and a Geographical Detector model. Our analysis reveals a multi-stage evolution governed by shifting environmental controls. The initial formation of inverted channels is predicated on substrate contrast that the differential erodibility between competent channel-fill deposits and the surrounding weaker substrate. After the inverted channels are formed, the preserved length of channel segments is determined by a balance between initial fluvial scale and subsequent aeolian destruction, with topographic complexity providing critical shielding against erosional forces. High channel sinuosity is a well-preserved relic of meandering systems from wetter paleoclimates, while low sinuosity is a feature imposed by intense aeolian erosion that straightens the channel. This framework of controls directly explains the spatial patterns. This study enhances our understanding of inverted channel formation and evolution under multi-factor control, providing insights for paleo-hydrological reconstruction in the Qaidam Basin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55115,"journal":{"name":"Geomorphology","volume":"496 ","pages":"Article 110160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}