Using WILSIM-GC to Model Rock Erodibility in the Grand Canyon

Content Goals

After successfully completing this exercise, students will be able to describe how the "rock erodibility" parameter in WILSIM-GC influences the model output.

Higher Order Thinking Skills

Students formulate and test hypotheses.

Other Skills

Students learn to manipulate the parameters of the computer simulation WILSIM-GC.

Course Type

Undergraduate course in geography or geology

Prerequisite Skills

This is an introductory parameter exercise that requires no additional skills. A basic knowledge of fluvial erosional processes and landform evolution is recommended.

Where this activity fits in the course

This is a stand-alone exercise that can be used 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.