Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This study addresses the question of whether the Appalachians are in a dynamic equilibrium with uniform erosion rates throughout the topography (e.g. Baldwin et al., 2003; Hack, 1960; Matmon et al., 2003; Sullivan et al, 2007) or in disequilibrium with varying erosion rates and changing relief due to some regional change in base level, “rejuvenating” high relief (e.g. Gallen et al., 2013; Hack, 1982; Hancock and Kirwan, 2007; Miller et al., 2013; Prince et al., 2011). GeoMorphTools and Matlab were used to conduct stream profile analysis is four watersheds in the Blue Ridge in western Virginia. Evidence for a wave of migrating knickpoints suggests that relief in the study area has increased due to disequilibrium as the result of a base level change in the Cenezoic. Possible explanations for a base level change resulting in disequilibrium are climate change and mantle forcing.
Date Awarded
2015
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Gregory S. Hancock
Recommended Citation
Morris, Jannette, "Evaluating Landscape Disequilibrium of the Blue Ridge in a Passive Margin Near Peaks of Otter, Virginia" (2015). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 343.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/343
