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<br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />w <br />0) <br />u) <br /> <br />CHAPTER IV <br /> <br />METHODS <br /> <br />4.1 Geomorphology <br /> <br />The geomorphology of the study area was described. This <br /> <br />included identifying the major landforms. determining their processes <br /> <br />of development and erosion, describing the erosional stability of each <br /> <br />landform, and compiling geomorphic maps. <br /> <br />A field reconnaissance was conducted in order to identify the <br /> <br />major landforms. The area consists of badlands, pediments, and allu- <br /> <br />vial valley floors. Badlands dominate in areal coverage, and drainage <br /> <br />basins in them vary in size, shape, relief, rock type, and vegetative <br /> <br />cover. The pediment surfaces and alluvial valley floor surfaces are <br /> <br />similar in that, generally, they have smooth, gently sloping surfaces. <br /> <br />The processes of development and erosion of the pediments and <br /> <br />alluvial valley floors were hypothesized from visual observation in <br /> <br />the field and from previous investigations relating to these landforms. <br /> <br />These two landforms were considered to be much more erosionally <br /> <br />stable than the badlands. <br /> <br />Field observations supported previous investigations (Chapter II) <br /> <br />that the badlands are characterized by rapid erosion. Consequently, <br /> <br />they were studied quantitatively. Eight small drainage basins were <br /> <br />chosen arbitrarily in order to investigate erosional processes. Channel <br /> <br />profiles and valley cross sections were measured. and the size, shape, <br /> <br />.i,~_...J <br />