| The primary goal of this research is to develop and apply a new technique for analyzing the complexity of geomorphic phenomena. Toward this end, two techniques are examined, the divider method, and the angle measure technique. In the first five chapters, the divider method is examined and applied to meandering rivers, the west coast of Britain, and talus slope surfaces. In the applications of the divider method to meandering rivers and the west coast of Britain, it is ascertained that none are statistically self-similar. The nature of the relationship between roughness and scale of measurement for talus slope surfaces is also found to be non-linear. However, the divider method is found to be incapable of ascertaining the nature of this non-linearity.; A new technique, termed the angle measure technique, is presented which is capable of delineating changes in the complexity of irregular natural lines and of identifying the characteristic scales of complexity of geomorphic phenomena. Results obtained from the application of this technique to the west coast of Britain provide further evidence that the degree of complexity of the coastline varies in a systematic manner with scale. In addition, the angle measure technique is capable of delineating the pattern of variation of complexity over scale for the coastline.; The proficiency of the angle measure technique in distinguishing between coastlines displaying widely differing morphometries is also demonstrated. The technique is shown to be capable of distinguishing between coastlines of different origin, of distinguishing between coastlines differing only in age, and of identifying changes in the shape of coastlines over time.; Measures obtained from the application of the angle measure technique can be utilized in place of the traditional measures of meander wavelength and sinuosity. This technique avoids the problems encountered in measuring those traditional indices.; The angle measure technique is proficient at examining changes in the degree of complexity of landforms at different elevations, and at distinguishing between geomorphic processes predominating at different scales. In addition, in some instances, it can be employed to ascertain trends in landscape development through time. |
