A global dataset of river network geometry

The plan-form structure of the world's river basins contains extensive information regarding tectonic, paleogeographic and paleo-climate conditions, but interpretation of this structure is complicated by the need to disentangle these processes from the autogenic behavior of fluvial processes. One method of interpreting this structure is by integrating channel length and drainage area as characterized by the scaling relationship between slope and area, resulting in a characteristic length parameter, referred to in recent studies as chi. In this paper, we apply this methodology at a continental scale by calculating chi for the world's river networks. Mapping of chi', a modified version of chi including the influence of precipitation distribution on river discharge and correction of base level for chi' in closed basins, illustrates the geometric structure of global river networks, thus highlighting where tectonics or changing climate have resulted in an apparent disequilibrium of the river channel geometry. Our global chi maps quantify a dynamic view of Earth's river networks and help to identify past and ongoing evolution of Earth's landscape.