The influence of subsurface architecture on scour hole formation in the Rhine–Meuse delta, the Netherlands

Scour holes are common features in deltaic rivers which can destabilise embankments through oversteepening of the river bed. Their development has been studied extensively from the hydraulic perspective, but another important control is the erodibility of the river bed which varies considerably due to thickening of heterogeneous deltaic substrate towards the coast. Therefore, we assessed the influence of delta-scale geological heterogeneity and local subsurface architecture on scour hole formation in addition to the hydrodynamic controls. We (1) created an inventory of 165 scour hole locations... Mehr ...