ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests the possible applicability and implications of some recently formulated thermodynamics principles—in extension of geomorphic steady-state doctrine-to account for threshold effects, transient dynamic equilibria, and episodic erosion. Much of the geomorphological research on fluvial systems has focused on mechanics of interaction between the flow and the groundmass, and has followed the concepts and techniques developed in hydraulic engineering. Geomorphological and hydraulic data have demonstrated a tendency toward equilibrium between the flow and the groundmass, reflected in exponential equations relating flow and channel parameters. The steady-state doctrine is generally accepted and has been employed in analysis of a wide range of geomorphic problems. The instability-driven dissipative structures provide a convenient and attractive hypothetical framework for such phenomena as episodic erosion, complex response, and appearance of thresholds, and demonstrate, among others, definite inherent orderly changes in operation of the landform generating systems.
