Stream regularization index. A morphometric approach to quantify the longitudinal profile regularization stage

Fluvial systems carve the Earth's surface under influence of climate and tectonics. This process tends towards dynamic equilibrium conditions, in which rivers respond by regularizing their longitudinal profiles to a graded form. However, external forcings frequently interrupt this trend displacing system transient state from will evolve again with tendency In bedrock incising rivers, profile shape provides information on states, quantifying regularization level makes it possible establish inferences about river's evolutionary its relationship influencing forcings. work presents procedure for streams analysis profiles. involves departure current that representing long conditions. comparison is quantified two indices: ‘stream index_G’, calculated entire profile, ‘regularization index_g’, discretely along profile. To illustrate usefulness indices how they different fluvial contexts stages, 14 central area Iberian Peninsula were analyzed. The results are interpreted together area-slope graph Ksn index, corroborated technique as morphometric tool river maturity identify tectonic regime transitions.