DEM based geomorphic analysis along Kalabagh fault and Pothwar plateau to constrain surface deformation: Inferences from remote sensing and GIS

The Pothwar Plateau and Kalabagh fault zone is a lower part of North West Himalayan fold and thrust belt (NWHFTB) and is a direct result of India-Eurasia collision. The interplay between tectonics and erosional environment has created a very unique topography, folds and thrust geometries in this reg...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pakistan journal of science 2016, Vol.64 (2), p.108-117
Main Authors: Qureshi, J. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Space Science), Mahmood, S.A. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Space Science), Almas, A.S. (National Engineering and Scientific Commission, Islamabad (Pakistan)), Rafique, H.M. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Dept. of Physics), Ahmad, S.R. (Punjab Univ., Lahore (Pakistan). Inst. of Geology), Masood, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PAKISTAN
PLATEAUX
REMOTE SENSING
RIVERS
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The Pothwar Plateau and Kalabagh fault zone is a lower part of North West Himalayan fold and thrust belt (NWHFTB) and is a direct result of India-Eurasia collision. The interplay between tectonics and erosional environment has created a very unique topography, folds and thrust geometries in this region. The purpose of this research is to constrain active tectonics and related surface deformations based on geomorphic indices from Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM with a spatial resolution of 90 m is a good dataset to constrain active tectonics and topographic analysis. The geomorphic indices (stream-length gradient index, concavity, steepness, drainage density and lineament density) were extracted automatically using standard algorithms. Comprehensive analyses based on stream profiles, lineament density, stream density, drainage patterns, topographic relief, Landsat imagery and published geological maps revealed a relationship between geomorphometric indices and tectonics. The geomorphic indices analysis also indicates active tectonics that shows control over the topography in the Pothwar plateau and Kalabagh fault zone. The geomorphic features and steepness index shows that the northern Pothwar deformed zone is more uplifted than the southern Pothwar platform zone. The spatial distributions of variable uplift rates are indicative of unique surface deformation within the Pothwar plateau and Kalabagh fault zone.
ISSN:0030-9877