Experimental geomorphology

Abstract

A review of studies carried out by the team of the Laboratory of Experimental Geomorphology, Moscow State University, gives a description of results obtained and problems tackled in the course of development of a new - experimental - branch of geomorphology. Laboratory experiments were applied primarily to investigations of fluvial processes for 40 years, they were based on theory of a single process of erosion and alluviation as developed by N.I. Makkaveev. The results permitted to verify some propositions of the theory, to elucidate Mechanism of individual Process, to develop criteria by which a dynamic state and stage of the phenomena under study may be determined. The experiments were also applied to some practical purposes.