Statistical inevitability of Horton's laws and the apparent randomness of stream channel networks

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1993 Statistical inevitability of Horton's laws and the apparent randomness of stream channel networks James W. Kirchner James W. Kirchner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information James W. Kirchner 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1993) 21 (7): 591–594. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0591:SIOHSL>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation James W. Kirchner; Statistical inevitability of Horton's laws and the apparent randomness of stream channel networks. Geology 1993;; 21 (7): 591–594. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0591:SIOHSL>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The remarkably regular geometric relations observed in stream networks have been widely interpreted as evidence of a distinctive structure that reflects particular geomorphic processes. These relations have also been interpreted as evidence that stream networks are topologically random, formed by the laws of chance. Neither of these inferences is justified. The oft-cited geometric properties are not specific to particular kinds of stream networks or to topologically random networks; instead, they describe virtually all possible networks. They therefore compel no particular conclusion about the origin or structure of stream networks. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.