Module 2: Exploring the Effects of Each Model Parameter in WILSIM-GC
This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Peer Reviewed Teaching Activities collection.
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Key words: Grand Canyon, subsidence rate, rock erodibility, hard/soft contrast, and cliff retreat rate
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Learning Goals
Content Goals
After successfully completing this exercise, students will be able to describe, in their own words, how each of the four model parameters – subsidence rate, rock erodibility, hard/soft contrast, and cliff retreat rate – affects the shape of the Grand Canyon and its development over time.
Other Skills
Students learn to manipulate the parameters of the computer simulation WILSIM-GC.
Context for Use
Course Type
Undergraduate course in geography or geology
Prerequisite Skills
It is recommended that students understand concepts from module 1, including fluvial erosional processes, landform evolution, and background about the Grand Canyon before starting this exercise.
Where this activity fits in the course
This exercise is intended as an introduction to WILSIM-GC, a computer simulation. Having completed this exercise, students will be ready to use WILSIM-GC to do more sophisticated activities, exploring and discovering principles of fluvial geomorphology. However, it can also be used as a stand-alone assignment.
Description and Teaching Materials
Go to Start Using WILSIM to download WILSIM-GC.
Module 2: Exploring the Effects of Each Model Parameter in WILSIM-GC (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 2.3MB Nov11 15)