Tectonic implications of geomorphometric characterization of watersheds using spatial correlation: Mohand Ridge, NW Himalaya, India

摘要

Geomorphometry is an important tool to characterize and understand landforms. The study of different morphometric parameters can be done either statistically to describe their relationships or they can be studied by their spatial distributions. In the present study the relationships between various morphometric parameters have been worked out. it shows that area is strongly correlated to perimeter and elongation ratio whereas its correlation to hypsometric integral is weak. This does not in any way avoid hypsometric integral from participating in spatial analysis; rather it plays an important role in understanding the evolutionary status of the watersheds. Further, spatial analysis of the morphometric parameters provides us with some valuable information regarding their distribution and relation to the structure and tectonics of the area. Accordingly the area has been divided into three zones viz., zone 1, 2 and 3. All these zones are mainly characterized by the relationship of the morphometric parameters of watersheds on either side of the ridge. Zones I and 3 show significant difference across the ridge whereas zone 2 is more or less similar. The Study also brings to light the effect of curvature in the ridge. The curvature is to some extent responsible for the similar nature of watersheds on either side of the ridge in zone 2.