Drainage Characteristics of Tectonically Active Area: An Example from Mawar Basin, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Authors
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Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar
Ahsan Afzal Wani -
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar
Bikram Singh Bali
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Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar
Shahnawaz Lone
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-019-1179-8Keywords:
No KeywordsAbstract
Geomorphic and neo tectonic studies have been carried out for the first time in Mawar basin of the Kashmir valley. On the basis of field investigations and geomorphic data derived from toposheets and satellite imageries, with the help of Arc GIS (10.3) and Global Mapper (18) the relationship between morphology and tectonics has been investigated in Mawar basin, which lies to the northwest of Kashmir valley. The morphotectonic aspects like mountain front sinuosity (Smf), hypsometric integral (Hi), have been studied to relate the tectonic forces with erosive power and identify the areas where field investigations are required. The field interpretation indicates that the landforms of the area are structurally controlled and mainly consist of tectonic linear, parallel striking ridges and valleys. The course of Mawar is mostly controlled by the Mawar fault striking east–west and local structures present in the area. General morphometric parameters like assymetry factor (Af), transverse topography symmetry (T), stream length gradient (SL) and valley floor width to height ratio (Vf) have been computed to draw the conclusion of tectonic activity on the drainage. The Af and T suggest that the basin has shifted to the right side and the Mawar river has shifted to the left side when facing downstream. The SL values indicate that the river has fluctuations in gradient/knickpoints at 6.8, 10 and 18 km from the source. However the Vf values infer the basin has deeply incised V-shaped valleys. All the quantified geomorphic indices and their interrelationship with the geomorphology are useful in comparing different drainage basins in terms of tectonic character and are helpful in delineating the areas where more detailed works will be fruitful. The results of computed geomorphic indices, geomorphology and the structures present in the Karewas (Plio Pleistocene) deposits inferred that the basin has shown activity in Pleistocene period, suggesting the basin is tectonically active.
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