Cellular models for river networks

Guido Caldarelli
Phys. Rev. E 63, 021118 – Published 26 January 2001
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Abstract

A cellular model introduced for the evolution of the fluvial landscape is revisited using extensive numerical and scaling analyses. The basic network shapes and their recurrence especially in the aggregation structure are then addressed. The roles of boundary and initial conditions are carefully analyzed as well as the key effect of quenched disorder embedded in random pinning of the landscape surface. It is found that the above features strongly affect the scaling behavior of key morphological quantities. In particular, we conclude that randomly pinned regions (whose structural disorder bears much physical meaning mimicking uneven landscape-forming rainfall events, geological diversity or heterogeneity in surficial properties like vegetation, soil cover or type) play a key role for the robust emergence of aggregation patterns bearing much resemblance to real river networks.

  • Received 27 June 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.63.021118

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Guido Caldarelli

  • INFM, Sezione di Roma 1, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza,” Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy

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Vol. 63, Iss. 2 — February 2001

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