Gregory Hancock

Analog and Numerical Models of Hillslope Diffusion part of Quantitative Skills:Activity Collection
This is a lab exercise that is done over two lab sessions. Students are first introduced to the diffusion equation as a theory for hillslope evolution. They then test this numerical theory by collecting data on hillslope erosion and curvature from a sand hillslope that is subjected to artificial rainfall for several time periods. Once tested, they then construct a numerical model in Excel of hillslope diffusion using the equations originally developed, and then use this model to simulate the evolution of their sand hillslope. This problem illustrates how numerical theories are developed, how we might test this theory with an analog model, how numerical models are constructed, and the limitations of numerical modeling.