braided stream sediment flume experiment

This video is a fast motion record of a sediment flume experiment illustrating braided channel processes similar to what may be found operating on an aluvial fan surface. The dimensions of the sediment flume are 6 meters long by 3 meters wide. Throughout the experiment, water and sediment were fed continuosly through the flume, while the floor of the flume was made to subside continuously effecting a continuous drop in base level similar to what might occur in a basin that is subsiding tectonically. The total amount of time elapsed for the experiment is 45 minutes. Channel processes on display include channel avulsion (a change in flow direction brought on by a buildup or deposition of sediment), channel expansion (an increase of channel width brought on by a decrease in sediment supply or increase in water flow [aka a flood]), sweeping avulsion (a change in flow direction that occurs in a radial pattern), and bar growth (arcuate deposits of sediment that divide [mid-channel bars] or enclose [lateral bars] channel flow). Number of occurences for each type of event: avulsions, 5 channel expansions, 4 sweeping avulsions, 1 instances of bar growth, 2 Video and experiment by Chris Paola of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota. Date of experiment unknown. Video downloaded from the webpage of Dr. Paul Heller (http://faculty.gg.uwyo.edu/heller/), Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, USA. Video uploaded to YouTube with the permission of Dr. Heller.