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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Theses/Dissertations

Geology

1986

University of New Mexico

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Long-Term Tributary Adjustments To Base-Level Lowering, Northern Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico, Keith Irvin Kelson Jul 1986

Long-Term Tributary Adjustments To Base-Level Lowering, Northern Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico, Keith Irvin Kelson

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

ABSTRACT

Late Cenozoic (post-3.6 Ma) entrenchment of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico formed a gorge over 200 m deep and induced different types of fluvial adjustments on two adjacent tributaries. Rio Hondo (drainage area 181 km2 ) has a concave-up long-profile and flows in a narrow valley containing six Quaternary strath terraces with parallel long-profiles grading to the Rio Grande. In contrast, Rio Pueblo de Taos (drainage area 1080 km2 ) has a convex-up long-profile and flows in a wide valley containing four strath terraces which do not grade to the Rio Grande. Although smaller in drainage area, …