Late quaternary geomorphic evolution of Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve: Significance of terminal fan

Haryana-Punjab plain (Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve) is part of the Indo-Gangetic foreland basin and makes the eastern part of the Indus River system. It is characterized by southwestern regional slope and is made up of sediments derived from the Himalayan front. The southern part of the Haryana-Punjab plain has a narrow northeast sloping surface, made up of sediments derived from the Rajasthan craton, making the peripheral bulge of the basin. The area of interaction of these two opposing slopes is marked by a rather flat region of poor drainage with a number of water bodies. This interactive zone of the two slopes has a constricted belt of westerly outlet merging in the Indus alluvial plain. The excessive sediments derived from the Himalayan front formed mega-fans, which in Late Pleistocene, extended down to 200 m altitude close to the southern limit of Haryana-Punjab plain. There are geomorphic evidence of punctuations in reduction in fan building activity during Late Quaternary with terminations at 225 and 300 m altitude, prominently seen in satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Haryana-Punjab plain also exhibits undulations with prominent highgrounds around Bhatinda, Hissar, and Sonipat-Jind. During the Late Quaternary, the streams of Yamuna-Sutlej interfluve region, viz., Dangri (sometimes referred as Tangri), Ghaggar-Saraswati, Markanda and Chautang, drastically reduced their carrying capacity due to reduced monsoon activity and neotectonic block movements. These streams abort within their terminal fans. Yamuna River is confined within its valley having prominent flood plain (T₀) and well-developed Newer Alluvial plain (T₁); as such it has not been a part of Indus system, at least during Holocene.     

Gravity change and land uplift in Fennoscandia 1966–1984

An analysis is made of the results from all repeated gravity measurements of the Fennoscandian land uplift gravity line 63°. The line is, thereby, divided into two separate parts: one part west of the land uplift maximum, and the other part east of the land uplift maximum. A statistically significant change of gravity is found both for the western part and the eastern one. Both parts give a relation between gravity change and land uplift of about ?0.22μgal/mm.     

Investigation of scale dependence and geomorphic stages of evolution through hypsometric analysis: a case study of Sirsa basin,western Himalaya,India

Hypsometric analysis is an important tool to identify and justify the erosional status, erosional processes, geologic and tectonic influences, and stage of landscape development of a basin. In this study, scale dependence of hypsometric integral (Ea) and hypsometric curve parameters were derived and analysed for various order sub-basins of Sirsa river. Here, Ea of higher order sub-basins are quite scale dependent and controlled by lithology; albeit Ea of all order sub-basins is independent of tectonic uplift. Based on Ea, all fourth and fifth order sub-basins were categorised in three classes. The analysis of hypsometric curve parameters showed that sub-basins of first category (Ea < 0.35) is characterised by upward-concave curve, fluvial process dominated and early old stage landscape. Sub-basins of second category (0.35 < Ea < 0.45) reflects concave-convex curve, dominance of fluvial process and mature landscape; whereas third category sub-basins (Ea > 0.45) are diffusive process dominated and belong to late youth to early mature stage.     

Remote sensing and GIS application in change detection of the Barak River channel,N.E. India

Rivers flowing through the alluvium invariably have very low gradient forcing the river to flow slowly in a meandering and zigzag path. Nature and intensity of meandering is governed by the geological and tectonic conditions of the river basin. Barak River in tectonically active south Assam (Northeast India) exhibits intense meandering and shifting of the river course. Topographic data of two different years and satellite images of 4 different years covering a section of the Barak River have been investigated to verify the nature of changes undergone by the river through times. This study reveals active northward shift of the river and a prominent neck-cut off in the initial part of the study area. Northward shift of the river also occurred in the area west of Silchar. But, in the western part the river has shifted both towards north and south. Oscillatory shifting in the river channel has also been noticed. The river has shown a overall northward shift which is probably due to uplift of the southern part of the Barak River valley.     

Drainage reversal in dharmapuri area in tamilnadu and its effects

Anomalies have been noticed in the Nagavati River and the Semmandakuppam ar drainage systems of the Dharmapuri area in the form of abrupt changes in the drainage pattern, elbow turning of tributary streams etc. On a detailed geomorphological study of the area using air photos, it has bsen observed that the anomalous situation is due to successive stages of development of the Nagavati R. at the cost of Semmandakuppam ar in the overall evolution of the landforms in the area. The Nagavati R. apppears to have originated as a very minor obsequent stream at an escarpment bank of the Cauvery R. which has been flowing in the southern part of the Dharmapuri pediplain. Owing probably to the uplift of the area and a concommittant reactivation of a regional shear, the Nagavati R has made successive headward advances into the pediplain, and in the process, has captured the upper reaches of the Semmandakuppam ar which is a tributary to the Ponnaiyar R. that drains the uplifted pediment even at present. The process of dissection and headward erosion by the Nagavati R. is still active and could possibly lead to a total capture of the Semmandakuppam ar and even the diversion of the Ponnaiyar R. head-waters into the Cauvery system. Of imminemt concern is the fast spreading badland which is developing at the head of the Nagavati R. at the expense of valuable agricultural land and a highway lying immediately west of the Dharmapuri town.     

Hypsometric analysis of Kali River Basin,Karnataka, India,using geographic information system

Hypsometric analysis is useful for understanding the geomorphic stages of a river basin. Hypsometric parameters have been evaluated and curves are prepared forall the 20 sub-basins of Kali River. Thirteen sub-basins are found to be under younger geomorphic stages with high hypsometric integral (Ea) values and subjected to recent tectonic activities. The remaining seven sub-basins are approaching mature stage and subjected to more erosion and less impacted by recent tectonic activities. Six sub-basins with lower hypsometric head values (<0.56) indicate least effect of diffusive processes and another six sub-basins with medium hypsometric head values (0.60–0.68) depict moderate diffusive erosion. The remaining eight sub-basins with higher hypsometric head values (>0.75) indicate highest diffusive processes at their upper reaches. Lower (<0.28) and higher (>0.44) hypsometric toe values indicate minimum and maximum mass accumulation respectively at the sub-catchment mouth.     

利用GPS复测资料研究华北地块旋转运动

利用 ＧＡＭＩＴ和ＧＰＳＡＤＪ软件对华北地区 ＧＰＳ监测网和首都图 ＧＰＳ监测网在 １９９２、１９９５、１９９６年观测的３期ＧＰＳ数据进行统一处理,估算了华北地区地壳水平运动速度场,以此反演块体旋转运动参数,讨论了华北地块旋转运动情况,并与地质、古地磁结果作了比较,最后初步分析华北地块运动的动力学机制。     

Application of IRS-1A data for delineating buried channels in Southern part of Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh

Two buried channels were identified in southern part of Allahabad district based on the visual interpretation of IRS-1 A LISS II FCC followed by detailed study of aerial photographs and cheks. It has been concluded on basis of the configuration of the channels that these were initially joined forming one channel which flowed from east to west although the present master slope of the area is from west to east. The present reversal of the drainage might have been caused by the neo-tectonic activity in the area. The buried channels provide potential ground water reservoirs in the area as proved by a few boreholes drilled on the channels. Some part of the area has become waterlogged due to the seepage of water from the canals cutting across one of the buried channels.     

渭河盆地构造应力场有限元数值模拟

依据渭河盆地活动构造特征及深部地层结构,以高精度GPS成果为边界条件,构建了区域三维有限元模型,并将模拟断裂运动性质及区域构造应力场,与地质地球物理的结果对比检验了模型模拟结果合理性。数值模拟结果更加精细地揭示出,陇县-马昭与韩城-华县断裂是渭河盆地中部与东、西部构造应力场差异的明显分界带,两条断裂夹挟的盆地中部区域是拉张应力（NW-SE向）集中带,陇县-马昭断裂以西则呈显著挤压应力（近E-W向）,韩城-华县断裂以东以NE-SW向挤压应力为主;而礼泉-蒲城-合阳断裂又为盆地中部区域南、北两侧构造应力场差异分界带,断裂南侧较北侧呈现出更显著的NW-SE向拉张应力,该特征与断裂南侧构造地裂缝较北侧更为发育相对应。     

郑州-兰考区域性隐伏断裂的发现及其意义

 黄河下游郑州京广铁桥—兰考段河道穿行于华北平原济源—开封凹陷,南邻太康隆起。该河段为著名的地上悬河,属典型的游荡型河床,河流地质作用以强烈侧蚀南岸为特征。遥感、物探综合解译首次发现在河道南岸存在一东西向郑州—兰考区域性隐伏深大断裂带,该断裂带的发现,从河流地质作用特征与基底新构造活动关系方面解释了该段黄河发生、发展和演化机理,解释了河床“小尺度游荡,大尺度呈直线状延伸” 的河道地貌特征和“河流强烈侧蚀南岸”的河流地质作用特征,对黄河下游河道防洪、治理具有重要意义。     

青藏高原中北部地貌变形的遥感表征及其生态地质学意义

遥感地质特征显示青藏高原北部,在澜沧江—温泉与东昆仑南缘—阿尼玛卿两条岩石圈断裂之间区域存在着4个正交叠加在早期北西—南东向构造地貌上的北东—南西向第四纪坳陷。其中西羌塘北部坳陷和长江源坳陷的地堑式裂陷地貌特征明显,而黄河源坳陷和若尔盖坳陷发育程度较低,但它们均是在青藏高原大陆构造变形的统一动力学背景下,地貌发生东西向伸展变形的产物。进一步研究表明,它们的形成不仅与青藏高原中南部所发育的近南北向裂谷具有同样的动力学意义,而且已成为影响该地区生态系统的主要因素。     

Structure and its impact in Uthangarai and Thirthamalai region, Tamil Nadu, India using remote sensing technique

The Uthangarai-Thirthamalai region in Dharmapuri district is a typical Precambrian tract in Tamil Nadu. IRS-1C satellite imagery was used for interpreting folds, faults, fractures and lineaments, in this region. As interpreted from the satellite imagery, there are five major structural domains, which control the Ponnaiyar, Pambar, Vaniyar and Kovilar river courses and other drainage pattern in this region. Presence of fault rock, epidotization and sympathetic fractures along such folds and faults reveals the intensity of tectonism in this sector. The interpreted lineaments have been classified into five major groups on the basis of their geometry and orientation. From the rose diagram, it is inferred that the NNW-SSE trending lineaments are fall in major frequency domain. The springs observed near Hanumanthirtham and Thirthamalai region could be structurally originated. The geomorphology interpreted from the satellite data has shown significant morphological expression of folds, faults and lineaments. The geophysical data have been analysed and correlated with intensity of weathering by fractures and lineaments.     

Landsat analysis of Dhansiri valley

Detailed Landsat imagery interpretation was carried out in Dhansiri Valley, Lower Assam, employing the standard visual interpretation techniques. Optico-electronic analysis using 1²15 Video Image Processer was also carried out. Edge enhancement of the imagery using photographic methods was found to sharpen lineaments to a great extent. As many as fifteen localities have been identified as “anomalies” reflecting possible subsurface structures. The delineation is based on different factors including tone, texture, drainage etc. Prominent structural trends delineated are in NE-SW and ENE-WSW directions. The NE-SW trending Borholla-Mikir hills fault zone divided the valley into two distinct structural units, the relatively shallower northern sector dominated by the ENE-WSW trending faults and the southern sector comprising the Dhansiri-Diyung flood plains dominated by tne NE-SW trending faults.     

Nubra-Gartang superlineament its geological siginficance and relation with the indus suture

The authors interpreted a major lineament in Ladakh region on LANDSAT imagery and named it Nubra-Gartang superlineament, after the two livers along which it is aligned for a considerable distance. The superlineament trending NW-SE, extends for a distance of 750 km from the Afganistan border to southern Tibet. Structural and geomorphic evidences indicate that the lineament is perhaps still active and represents a dextral strike-slip fault. The fracture pattern and other tectonic elements suggest that a ‘suture’ zone is expected further to the north of this line in the Pamir region and the so called ‘Indus suture zone’ may be only a sister fracture to this superlineament. Occurrences of Quaternary volcanics along the superlineament are not ruled out and as such the zone offers a favourable locale for associated mineralisation.     

华北地区活动地块边界带运动及块体内部变形分析

基于刚性块体和GPS稳定点组概念，用GPS稳定点组的水平速度值求出了各活动地块及华北亚板块的欧拉运动参数，推证了块体边界上的点相对运动速度矢量公式，通过该公式利用块体欧拉运动参数反演计算分析了地块边界带运动状况；通过块体欧拉运动参数反演计算各GPS观测点的背景运动速度，用观测点的实测运动速度减去各观测点的背景运动速度得出其实际变形值，进一步分析了各地块内部变形情况，并探讨了各活动地块的刚性特征。     

唐山7.8级地震三维地表形变和断层运动特征

通过系统收集整理1976年唐山7.8级地震前后区域水准和边角网观测资料,在研究发展动态平差程序的基础上,解算得到了唐山地震震前和同震三维形变定量结果与误差分布,并反演得到了断层面同震滑动分布。结果显示,震前阶段丰润-唐山-唐海-昌黎-迁安一带整体隆升,隆升高值区位于唐山附近,震中区的水平形变量不大,唐山菱形地块相对于周围地块逆时针扭转;同震阶段唐山断裂以右旋错动为主,并呈现西升东降的垂向变形特征;反演结果表明多段断层参与了唐山7.8级地震的应变释放,主震发震断层的南段破裂主要发生在深度约6~18 km、长轴约50 km范围,北段破裂主要发生在深度约7~17 km、长轴约30 km范围,滦县地震断层也发生了少量滑动;主震断层最大水平位错为7.82 m、最大垂直位错为2.04 m,等效震级为Mw 7.58。挖掘得到的唐山震前和同震三维形变场定量结果为深入研究该地震的孕育发生机制及地震影响提供了珍贵资料。     

应用全张量重力梯度组合识别并提取中国南海断裂

断裂构造研究是重力解释的一项重要工作,与构造单元划分密切相关。全张量重力梯度数据以其信息量大、含有更高频的信号成分,能更好地描述小的异常特征等优点在地球物理领域中得到广泛应用。基于全张量重力梯度组合研究中国南海断裂识别及提取方法。首先,比较多种重力梯度边界识别方法,包括直接利用重力梯度三分量法和全张量梯度组合法,分析它们的优缺点。通过对比分析,传统重力梯度三分量方法不能有效地均衡深浅异常的振幅,当异常中同时出现正负异常可能产生假的边界结果。全张量重力梯度组合法不仅可以有效地避免传统方法的缺陷,而且获得的边界还具有良好的连续性和收敛性。其次,利用改进的边缘检测计算理论边界提取法确定断裂的精确平面位置,得到了与全张量梯度组合法一致的结果。由此推断,南海断裂以北东走向和北西走向为主,北东东、北西、东西和近南北走向为辅。     

Hypsometric analysis of watersheds developed on actively deforming Mohand anticlinal ridge,NW Himalaya

Hypsometric analysis describes the elevation distribution across an area of land surface. It is an important tool to assess and compare the geomorphic evolution of various landforms irrespective of the factor that may be responsible for it. The major factors governing the evolution of landscape are tectonics and/or climate and the variation in lithology. The present study takes into consideration the watersheds developed over actively deforming Mohand anticlinal ridge in the frontal part of NW Himalaya. The hypsometric analysis has been used as a morphometric parameter, i.e. hypsometric integral, to deduce its relationship with the area of watersheds. Statistical analysis of these parameters has been carried out by classifying them into different classes based on the natural breaks method. This brings out strong relationships for hypsometric integral classes and area classes with the number of watersheds in respective classes and the total area occupied by respective hypsometric and area classes. It has also been found that stronger relationships exist for watersheds on the southern flank as compared to watersheds of the northern flank. It also highlights the presence of an anomalous watershed on the northern flank that is possibly responsible for the weak statistical relationships on the northern flank. Removal of this anomalous watershed always brings out much stronger relationships for the northern flank. The anomalous watershed has been directly attributed to the difference in geologic structure as it is spatially related to the presence of the Bhimgoda Back Thrust (BBT) present in the area. The results are awe inspiring and very promising as they indicate some statistically strong relationships among the hypsometric integral and area of watersheds that are not apparent in the spatial distribution of these parameters, especially in actively deforming areas.     

Channel response in structurally disturbed terrain: evaluation of implication of neotectonic activity through an integrated approach

The anomalous channel pattern in the midland stretch of the river Karamana, having highly sinuous and incised course with varying floodplain, is analysed to determine the different stages of evolution of the river channel in response to the structural disturbances in the area. Geometric analysis of foliation, geospatial analyses of sinuosity index, hypsometry, channel and streamline changes, river channel cross-profile, longitudinal profile and derivation of fold structure from satellite images were attempted in evaluating the characteristic features of the selected river segment. Datasets used in the analysis were collected through the detailed fieldwork, structural mapping and interpretation of satellite images and satellite-derived digital elevation data. Systematic analysis of the channel pattern of the selected reaches of the river, in 1915, 1968 and 2008 classifies the river as tortuously meandering. Implications of tectonic disturbance can be inferred from the presence of channel incision, unpaired terraces, younger terrain with intense erosion, knick points, convex river long profile, and high hypsometric integral, oscillating and unpaired character of the river channel. Structural analysis along with GIS and remote sensing studies proved the presence of a major fold with a NW–SE-trending axial surface. An evolutionary model is proposed to elucidate the channel planform changes in response to the deformation and tectonic uplift of the region.