Generalized swath profiles

Abstract

Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union. 387 Abstract We present a new method to extend the widely used geomorphic technique of swath profiles towards curved structures such as river valleys. The basic idea consists in using the oriented distance from a given baseline (e.g., a valley floor) as the profile coordinate. The method can be implemented easily and avoids almost all problems re-5 lated to alternative ideas of generalizing the concept of swath profiles. Some examples of the application to valleys, a large subduction zone, and an impact crater are provided in order to illustrate the capabilities of the method.