Reduced complexity models (RCMs) for river delta formation with channel dynamics

Abstract

River deltas are among the most populated, productive yet vulnerable regions in the world. They are complex systems that involve processes over a wide range of time and space scales. In this situation detailed modeling of every aspect of the system can be extremely expensive which, due to the resulting complexity, may only lead to limited physical insights. The alternative is to develop Reduced-Complexity Models (RCMs) that attempt to retain the key dynamics and phenomena in delta morphodynamics through employing approximate but physically reliable descriptions of the governing transport equations. In this collection of work we develop a series of rule-based cellular models based on a "weighted-random-walk" framework, arriving at a comprehensive delta formation model with the ability to resolve topography, a full range of channel network dynamics and stratigraphy. We also describe three exploratory models that could potentially serve as components for new delta formation RCMs.