Abstract
As a fundamental category of river system, comparisons in diverse regions and types with quantitative parameters on meander morphology will help to distinguish different characteristics and approach formations and evolutions. It also can provide scientific basis of geomorphology for their protections and exploitation of the meander resources. Based on the images of Google Earth, meanders’ parameters are proposed and then measured and calculated. The result suggests that incised meanders in the Jialing River are among the most complex, irregular and sinuous channels. Special river gradient, geological structures, strata and lithology, backwater effect of landform are key factors to shape meanders of the Jialing River. The evolution of meander in the Jialing River obeys the principle of minimum-maximum energy dissipation. Easy acquisitions of remote sensing data make regional and global comparisons possible, and then the differences of formations can be explored. The morphology can probably provide an evidence of antecedent river and demonstrate the channel incisions and crustal uplifts. Meander core in Chinese is named after the isolated hills in the Jialing River. The incised meander is a kind of resource and needs to be protected.
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Supported by State Key Development Program for Basic Research of China (Grant No. 2007CB407206) and Planning Projects of National Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2006BAC01A11)
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Zhang, B., Ai, N., Huang, Z. et al. Meanders of the Jialing River in China: Morphology and formation. Chin. Sci. Bull. 53, 267–281 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-007-0516-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-007-0516-2