Analogue modelling of relief dynamics

Natural landscape analysis and numerical modelling point to a lack of physi cal data on relief dynamics. Experimental modelling is therefore an interes ting approach for obtaining physical information on eroded systems with run off transportation and topographic incision. The main technical challenge, in reproducing regional topography at the laboratory scale, is to obtain mm -scale incisions and a limitation of the smoothing action of diffusive tran sport processes. An experimental design using newly developed rain making a pparatus and silica as a model material, satisfies the required conditions, and allows simulation of geomorphic instabilities. An example of "plateau instability" modelling is presented to illustrate the suitability of this e xperimental procedure. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.