Controls on fluvial meander?belt thickness and sand distribution: Insights from forward stratigraphic modelling

Fluvial point-bar evolution commonly involves multiple stages of bar development driven by changes in the style meander transformations. Complicated planform morphologies are widely recognized remote-sensing imagery, but relationships between meander-bend evolutionary behaviour and stratigraphic architecture, facies distribution, sand volumes remain poorly understood. This study applies a geometric forward model (Point-Bar Sedimentary Architecture Numerical Deduction – ‘PB-SAND’) to simulate internal sedimentary architecture 24 meander-belt segments that evolved via broad range transformation styles. Modelling inputs constrained channel trajectories inferred from high-resolution Light Detection Ranging (LiDAR) datasets, lithological information sedimentological database (Fluvial Knowledge Transfer System ‘FAKTS’) geological knowledge trends lithology (for example, decrease proportion with sinuosity, downstream bend apices, beyond transition counter-point-bar deposits) bathymetry (depth variations across pools riffles). results used explore how relative distribution mud is controlled styles transformation, quantified degree translation versus expansion, amount rotation. The models classified into three groups based on cluster analysis their mean migration angle, apex rotation, standard deviation circular variance preservation ratio; these quantities known be types. Quantitative comparisons metrics change quantifications deposits demonstrate controls thickness volume. Locally, interplay spatial reflect bathymetric changes, both related local hydrodynamics. proposed workflow establishes linkages three-dimensional distributions; it can employed characterize subsurface porous where history bends reconstructed.