TY  - JOUR
A1  - Golly, Antonius
A1  - Turowski, Jens M.
A1  - Badoux, Alexandre
A1  - Hovius, Niels
T1  - Controls and feedbacks in the coupling of mountain channels and hillslopes
JF  - Geology
N2  - Mountain channels can be strongly coupled with adjacent hillslopes, exchanging both mass and energy. However, hypotheses of the underlying cause and effect relations are based on indirect observations that do not resolve the mechanics of channel-hillslope coupling at the process scale. Here we present direct observational data of a coupled channel-hillslope system in the catchment area of the Erlenbach, a mountain stream in Switzerland. A slow-moving landslide flanking this alpine stream failed after a flood had eroded an alluvial step in the channel at its base, representing evidence for an upsystem link in channel-hillslope coupling. Progressive accumulation of landslide debris in the channel resulted in a renewed step, stabilizing the hillslope and restoring the channel step in a downsystem link. Thus, upsystem and downsystem coupling mechanisms are joined in a negative feedback cycle. In this cycle, debuttressing and rebuttressing due to channel bed erosion and alluviation are the dominant controls on hillslope stability. Based on an order of magnitude estimate it is plausible that the observed feedback mechanism is a relevant process in the production of coarse (>2 mm) sediment in the Erlenbach.
Y1  - 2017
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1130/G38831.1
SN  - 0091-7613
SN  - 1943-2682
VL  - 45
SP  - 307
EP  - 310
PB  - Geological Society of America
CY  - Boulder
ER  -