Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of geomorphic expressions of bedrock Channels in the Western Ghats of southern Kerala, India, through quantitative analysis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Geomorphic expressions embedded within the bedrock channels, originating from the southernmost part of the Western Ghats, India, are quantitatively characterized through well-defined geomorphic indices using digital elevation models (DEM) and geographical information system (GIS) tools. Drainage basin asymmetry (Af), transverse topographic symmetry factor (T), longitudinal profile, stream length gradient index (SL), hypsometric integral and curve (Ihyp), spatial parameters like drainage density (Dd) and dissection index (DI) are used for extraction of information related to the characteristic pattern and behaviour associated with the Karamana river and its two major tributaries. The independent and cumulative analysis of each geomorphic indices indicates adjustment of Karamana river in response to the tectonic activities. Karamana basin, while showing symmetric character as a single unit, exhibits segments of asymmetric nature associated with the terrain tilting and is evidenced from the variable directional oscillation from E, SSE, S, NW and W. Varying characteristics of the longitudinal profiles and abrupt change in the SL index suggest knick points and uplift of the terrain due to tectonic processes. The influence of tectonic process over the stream characteristics is confirmed by identifying higher levels of SL anomalies in unique lithology. The inferences correlate with the low drainage density and high dissection index zones in the region with varying influence of tectonic processes. Though, the Karamana river basin as a single unit shows old age characteristics in the hypsometric analysis and symmetric nature, the longitudinal profile-assisted SL and SL anomaly indices are found to be capable of revealing evidences of differential effects of tectonic activities over the stream characteristics. The deductions are in agreement with field observations on landforms and channel attributes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams J (1980) Contemporary uplift and erosion of the Southern Alps. N Z: Geol Soc Am Bull 91:1–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambili V, Narayana AC (2014) Tectonic effects on the longitudinal profile of the Chaliyar River and its tributaries, southwest India. Geomorphology 217:37–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Awasthi KD, Sitaula BK, Singh BR, Batajracharya RM (2002) Land-use change in two Nepalese watersheds: GIS and geomorphometric analysis. Land Degrad Dev 13:495–513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battacharya S, Kar R (1998) Structural constraints on reworking in the Western Ghats Granulite Belt, India and the Antarctic Analogue. Gondwana Res 1(1):285–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burbank DW, Anderson RS (2001) Tectonic Geomorphology. Blackwell Science, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Ch. Kothyari G, Rastogi BK (2013) Tectonic control on drainage network evolution in the upper Narmada valley: implication to neotectonics. Geography Journal 2013:9. doi:10.1155/2013/325808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox RT (1994) Analysis of drainage basin symmetry as a rapid technique to identify areas of possible Quaternary tilt-block tectonics: an example from the Mississipi Embayment. Geol Soc Am Bull 106:571–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuong NQ, Zuchiewicz WA (2001) Morphotectonic properties of the Lo River Fault near Tam Dao in North Vietnam. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 1:15–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Araújo Monteiro K, Missura R, de Barros Correa AC (2010) Application of the Hack index–or stream length-gradient index (SL index)–to the Tracunhaém river watershed, Pernambuco, Brazil. Geociências 29(4):533–539

  • Drury SA, Holt RW (1980) The tectonic frame work of South India, A reconnaissance involving LANDSAT Imagery. Tectonophysics 65:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drury SA, Harris NBW, Holt RW, Reeves–Smith GJ, Wightman RT (1984) Precambrian tectonics and crustal evolution in South India. J Geol 92:3–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferraris F, Firpo M, Pazzaglia FJ (2012) DEM analyses and morphotectonic interpretation: The Plio-Quaternary evolution of the eastern Ligurian Alps, Italy. Geomorphology 149–150:27–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao M, Zeilinger G, Xu X, Wang Q, Hao M (2013) DEM and GIS analysis of geomorphic indices for evaluating recent uplift of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, China. Geomorphology 190:61–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrote J, Heydt GG, Cox RT (2008) Multi-stream order analyses in basin asymmetry: a tool to discriminate the influence of neotectonics in fluvial landscape development (Madrid Basin, Central Spain). Geomorphology 102:130–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giaconia F, Booth-Rea G, Martínez-Martínez JM, Azañón JM, Pérez-Peña JV, Pérez-Romero J, Villegas I (2012) Geomorphic evidence of active tectonics in the Sierra Alhamilla (eastern Betics, SE Spain). Geomorphology 145–146:90–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gloaguen R (2008) Remote sensing analysis of crustal deformation using river networks http://www.igarsso8.org/abstracts/pdfs/3197.pdf

  • Hack JT (1960) Interpretation of erosional topography in humid temperate regions. Am J Sci 258-A:80–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Hack JT (1973) Stream-profile analysis and stream-gradient index. U.S. Geol Surv J Res 1:421–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare PW, Gardner TW (1985) Tectonic Geomorphology. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Bighamton Geomorphology Symposium. In: Morisawa M, Hack JT (eds) Geomorphic indicators of vertical neotectonism along converging plate margins, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Allen and Unwin, Boston, pp. 75–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Jayappa KS, Markose VJ, Nagaraju M (2012) Identification of geomorphic signatures of neotectonic activity using DEM in the Precambrian Terrain of Western Ghats, India. International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, vol. XXXIX-B8 (2012) XXII ISPRS Congress, 25 August – 01 September 2012, Melbourne, Australia

  • John B, Rajendran CP (2008) Geomorphic indicators of neotectonism from the Precambrian terrain of Peninsular India: a study from the Bharathapuzha Basin, Kerala. J Geol Soc India 71:827–840

    Google Scholar 

  • Kale VS, Shejwalkar N (2008) Uplift along the western margin of the Deccan Basalt Province: Is there any geomorphometric evidence? J Earth Syst Sci 117(6):959–971

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA (1986) Active Tectonics. In: Investigation of Active Tectonics: Use of Surficial Earth Processes. National Academy Press, Washington D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller EA, Pinter N (2002) Active tectonics. Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landscape. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, p. 362

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirby E, Whipple KX (2012) Expression of active tectonics in erosional landscapes. J Struct Geol 44:54–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar GRR, Chacko T (1988) Petrology and tectonic development of supracrustal sequence of Kerala Khondalite Belt, Southern India. Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on the Deep Continental Crust of South India; p 149–150. Accessed from http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19890012873 on 11.08.2014

  • Mahmood SA, Gloaguen R (2012) Appraisal of active tectonics in Hindu Kush: Insights from DEM derived geomorphic indices and drainage analysis. Geosci Front 3(4):407–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik S (2014) Determination of stages of landscape evolution of Sankha Nadi, Jharkhand; an integrated approach of morphometry and GIS. J Environ Earth Sci 4(3):46–55

  • Markose VJ, Jayappa KS (2011) Hypsometric analysis of Kali River Basin, Karnataka, India, using geographic information system. Geocarto International 26(7):553–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR, Prasannakumar V, Mathai T (1981) Structure of the western termination of the Bhavani lineament. J Geol Soc India 22:285–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters G, Van Balen RT (2007) Pleistocene tectonics inferred from the fluvial terraces of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany. Tectonophysics 430:41–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajakumar P, Sanjeevi S, Jayaseelan S, Isakkipandian G, Edwin M, Balaji P, Ehanthalingam G (2007) “Landslide susceptibility mapping in a hilly terrain using remote sensing and GIS.” J Indian Soc Remote Sens 35(1):31–42

  • Ramakrishnan M (1993) Tectonic evolution of the granulite terrains of southern India. Geological Society of India Memoir 25:35–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhea S (1993) Geomorphic observations of rivers in the Oregaon coast range from a regional reconnaissance prospective. Geomorphology 6:135–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvany JM (2004) Tilting neotectonics of the Guadiamar drainage basin, SW Spain. Earth Surf Process Landf 29:145–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satheeshkumar R, Prasannakumar V (2009) Fabric evolution in Salem-Attur shear zone, south India and its implications on the kinematics. Gondwana Res 16:37–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumm SA (1956) Evolution of drainage systems and slopes in badlands at Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Natl Geol Soc Am Bull 67:597–646

  • Schumm SA, Mosley MP, Weaver WE (1987) Experimental Fluvial Geomorphology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeber L, Gornitz VM (1983) River profiles along the Himalayan arc as indicators of active tectonics. Tectonophysics 92:335–367

  • Selvan MT, Ahmad S, Rashid SM (2011) Analysis of the geomorphometric parameters in high altitude glacierised terrain using SRTM DEM data in Central Himalaya, India. ARPN J Sci Technol 1(1):22–27

  • Singh O, Sarangi A, Sharma MC (2008) Hypsometric integral estimation methods and its relevance on erosion status of north-western Lesser Himalayan Watersheds. Water Resour Manag 22:1545–1560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh T, Awasthi AK (2010) Stream profiles as indicator of active tectonic deformation along the inter-foreland thrust, Nahan Salient, NW India. Curr Sci 98(01):95–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinha Roy S, Mathai J, Narayanaswamy (1984) Structure and metamorphic characteristics of cordierite baring gneiss of south Kerala. Journal of Geological Society of India 25(4):231–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder N, Whipple KX, Tucker GE, Merritts DJ (2000) Landscape response to tectonic forcing: digital elevation model analysis of stream profiles in the Mendocino triple junction region, northern California. Geol Soc Am Bull 112(8):1250–1263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soman K (2000) Geology of Kerala. Geological Society of India, Bangalore, p. 335

    Google Scholar 

  • Štěpančíková P, Stemberk J, Vilímek V, Košťák B (2008) Neotectonic development of drainage networks in the East Sudeten Mountains and monitoring of recent fault displacements (Czech Republic). Geomorphology 102:68–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952) Hypsometric (area-altitude) analysis of erosional topography. Geoloical Society of America Bulletin 63:1117–1141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Troiani F, Della Seta M (2008) The use of the stream length-gradient index in morphotectonic analysis of small catchments: a case study from Central Italy. Geomorphology 102:159–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vijith H, Prasannakumar V, Sharath Mohan M, Pratheesh P (2015) Channel response in structurally disturbed terrain: evaluation of implication of neotectonic activity through an integrated approach. Geocarto International. doi:10.1080/10106049.2015.1006528

    Google Scholar 

  • Virdi NS, Philip G, Bhattacharya S (2006) Neotectonic activity in the Markanda and Bata river basins, Himachal Pradesh, NW Himalaya: A morphotectonic approach. Inter J Rem Sen 27(10):2093–2099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whipple KX, Tucker GE (1999) Dynamics of bedrock channels in active orogens: implications for the height limits of mountain ranges, landscape response time scale, and research needs. J Geophys Res 104:17661–17674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willgoose G, Hancock G (1998) Revisiting the hypsometric curve as an indicator of form and process in transport-limited catchment. Earth Surf Process Landf 23(7):611–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zovoili E, Konstantinidi E, Koukouvelas IK (2004) Tectonic geomorphology of escarpments: the cases of Kompotades and Nea Anchialos faults. Bull Geol Soc Greece 36:1716–1725

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to Prof (Dr.) François Roure and the anonymous reviewer for critical review, constructive comments and suggestions which helped to improve the manuscript significantly and to the Editor Abdullah M. Al-Amri for his generous support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inter University Centre for Geoinformation Science and Technology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695 581, India

    H. Vijith, V. Prasannakumar, P. Pratheesh & M.A. Sharath Mohan

  2. Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Sarawak Campus, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

    H. Vijith

  3. State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, Institute of Land and Disaster Management, P.T.P Nagar, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, 695 038, India

    M.V. Ninu Krishnan

Authors
  1. H. Vijith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. Prasannakumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Pratheesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M.V. Ninu Krishnan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M.A. Sharath Mohan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Vijith.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vijith, H., Prasannakumar, V., Pratheesh, P. et al. Evaluation of geomorphic expressions of bedrock Channels in the Western Ghats of southern Kerala, India, through quantitative analysis. Arab J Geosci 9, 393 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2401-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2401-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation