Self-affine scaling of fractal river courses and basin boundaries

The scaling properties of the geometrical features of river courses and basin boundaries are investigated. These structures show anisotropic scaling which classify them as self-affine fractals. The self-affine characteristics of channels and boundaries have been found to be the same across the different river basins analyzed. Using a simulation model of river networks and basin landscapes, the relationship between the self-affine characteristics of channels and the three-dimensional structure and evolution of the landscape is shown.