Models simulating the evolution of topography: analysis, reconstruction forecasting

Abstract

The digital model of erosional topography takes into account changes of tectonic movements in space and time, changes of humidity and lithology within the area which is set up by digital matrix of elevations. Experiments with the model on a computer show that individual regimes of influence on the system are imprinted on the system's elements and its structure. To apply the simulating model to concrete tasks (such as testing hypotheses of topographic evolution, forecasting its development under human impact, reconstructing the history of relief) it is necessary to transform initial data to digital matrix. Realisation of the algorithm of the inverse problem (proceeding from topography obtained by direct simulation on the computer) produced the results which were in reasonable agreement with the- present topography. Errors estimation methods are discussed.