relaxation time

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relaxation time The time taken by a geomorphological system to adjust to a sustained change in the nature and/or intensity of an external process, usually by an alteration in the shape of the land-form or landscape. Relaxation times vary. The width of a river channel may increase within 10 years, possibly triggered by a major flood event, in response to an increased discharge; following a climate change, it may be 105–106 years before a glaciated mountain range loses the imprint of ice.

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