A new index of quantitative study on the drainage geomorphy system

Abstract

The basic theory of fractal is introduced and applied. Because the changes and development of drainage landform are affected by many complex factors, the process is a nonlinear change, but the definite method could not explain this phenomenon for along time. However, the nonlinear science method such as the fractal theory has been applied to many fields and the researchers obtained more satisfactory results by means of nonlinear method instead of linear method. This paper discussed the quantitative index such as fractal dimension of the river networks, main channels and furrow networks on the drainage geomorphy system. And the calculating method, the separating principle on the fractal dimension have are studied. Finally, the fractal dimensions of the furrow and main channel have been obtained according to the experimental data, and the significance of the value of fractal dimension is discussed. It is believed that the slope erosive growth is more complicated than that of main channel districts, and the value of the fractal dimension of river networks would reflect the extricated degree of the growth and geomorphic erosive stages of the drainage.