An Analysis of Tectonic Geomorphologic Characteristics of the Beipanjiang Basin in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau

The Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, located on the southeast boundary of the Tibet Plateau, is the second geomorphologic step in China continent. The large area tilting tectonic deformation occurred in this plateau with the uplift of the Tibet plateau since the Cenozoic. The Beipanjiang River rises in eastern Yunnan Province and southeastward across the slope zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the Guangxi Plain, and goes into the Hongshui River by the Wangmo in Guizhou Province. Due to the southeastward extrusion by the Tibetan Plateau, deep incised-valleys formed in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, which have the characteristics of developed fault, complicated geological structure and rugged terrain. The Cenozoic evolution history of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the response to the uplifting of Tibet Plateau are unclear because of the lack of sedimentation records, and also this has long been a bottleneck to geomorphologic evolution research. Based on DEM data and GIS software, we extracted the geomorphic indexes which included hypsometric integral HI], drainage basin asymmetry AF], stream-length gradient index SL], and valley floor width-to-height ratio VF]. The results show that four geomorphic indexes can reflect the regional tectonic movement and topographical features. The geomorphology of Beipanjiang Basin is controlled by tectonic action mainly, especially the Yadu-Ziyun Fracture has great impact on the formation of valleys and the development of water system greatly.