Abstract
In the present paper integrated appraisals of landform evolution and their geomorphic features, drainage networks across the upper part of Yamuna river basin have been attempted by using various geomorphic indices such as watershed, drainage density (D), drainage texture, stream-gradient index (SL), hypsometric integral (HI), drainage basin asymmetry (AF), mountain front sinuosity (Smf), sinuosity index (SI), valley floor height and width ratio (Vf) and data of historical earthquakes in characterizing the basin in view of relative index of active tectonics (RIAT) on DEM in geographic information systems (GIS) environment to assess the influence of recent tectonics on geomorphologic growth of the basin.
The substantiated RIAT classes through some field observations and corroborated by recent seismicity reveal the recent activation of Yamuna tear faults in the basin with delineation of four RIAT classes such as class-1 (inactive 9.8% of the area), class-2 (low active; 16.40% of the area), class-3 (moderately active; 42.38% of the area) and class-4 (very active; 31.62%). The results suggest that the Himalayan frontal thrust (HFT) and Yamuna tear (YT) located in the basin is morphogenic in nature and got activated several times as evidenced by number of seismic activities in the basin and adjoining regions. The incision, and sharp turning of rivers, crenulations and warping of cross beddings/laminations and silt/clay beds and lenses, megascopic and mesoscopic faulting in sediment sequences suggest a very active nature of the HFT and YT till date in association with three prolific microseismogenic weak zones These active discontinuities appear to support the formation and development of different deformational features in sediment sequences which may be indirectly related to subduction and underthrusting of Indian plate under Eurasian plate below the Himalayan mountain chain.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Azanon, J.M., Azor, A., Perez-Pena, J.V. and Carrillo, J.M. (2005) Late Quaternary large-scale rotational slides induced by river incision: the Arroyo de Gor area (Guadix basin, SE Spain), Geomorphology, v.69, pp.152–168.
Bull, W.B. (2007) Tectonic geomorphology of mountains: a new approach to paleoseismology. Blackwell, Malden, v.74, pp.93–114.
Bull, W.B. and McFadden, L.D. (1977) Tectonic geomorphology north and south of the Garlock fault, California. In: Doehering, D.O. (Ed.), Geomorphology in Arid Regions. Proceedings at the Eighth Annual Geomorphology Symposium. State University of New York, Binghamton, NY, pp.115–138.
Burbank, D. and Anderson, R. (2001) Tectonic Geomorphology. Blackwell Science, Oxford, pp.247.
Cox, R.T. (1994) Analysis of drainage basin symmetry as a rapid technique to identify areas of possible Quaternary tilt-block tectonics: an example from the Mississippi Embayment. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.106, pp.571–581.
Dar, J.A. and Dubey, R.K. (2013a) Trembling induced sediment deformation structures and its bearing on evolution of Karewa Basin, Kashmir Valley, India. Inter. Jour. Earth Sci. Engg., v.6(6), pp.1400–1406.
Dehbozorgi, M., Pourkermani, M., Arian, M., Matkan, A.A., Motamedi, M. and Hosseiniasal, A. (2010) Quantitative analysis of relative tectonic activity in the Sarvestan area, central Zagros, Iran. Geomorphology, v.121, pp.329–341.
Della Seta, M., Del Monte, M., Fredi, P., Miccadei, E., Nesci, O., Pambianchi, G., Piacentini, T. and Troiani, F. (2008) Morphotectonic evolution of the Adriatic piedmont of the Apennines: advancement in the knowledge of the Marche–Abruzzo border area. Geomorphology, v.102, pp.119–129.
El Hamounini, R., Irigaray, C., Fernandez, T., Chacon, J. and Keller, E.A. (2008) Assessment of relative active tectonics, southwest border of the Sierra Nevada (southern Spain). Geomorphology, v.96, pp.150–173.
Hack, J.T. (1973) Stream-profiles analysis and stream-gradient index. Jour. Res. U.S. Geological Survey, v.1, pp.421–429.
Hankcock, G.S. and Anderson, R.S. (2002) Numerical modeling of fluvial strath-terrace formation in response to oscillating climate. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.114, pp.1131–1142.
Horton, R.E. (1932) Drainage basin characteristics. Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, v.13, pp.350–360.
Horton, R.E. (1945) Erosional development of stream and their drainage basin. Hydrogeological approach to quantitative morphology. Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.56, pp.275–370.
Keller, E.A. and Pinter, N. (2002) Active Tectonics: Earthquakes, Uplift, and Landscape (2nd Ed.) Prentice Hall, New Jersey, pp.304–326.
Maroukian, H., Gaki-Papana, K., Karymbalis, E., Vouvalidis, K. and Pavlopoulos, K.P. (2008) Morphotectonic control on drainage network evolution in the Perachora Peninsula, Greece. Geomorphology, v.102, pp.81–92.
Menendez, I., Silva, P.G., Martin-Betancor, M., Perez-Torrado, F.J., Guillou, H. and Scaillet, S. (2008) Fluvial dissection, isostatic uplift, and geomorphological evolution of volcanic islands (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain). Geomorphology, v.102, pp.189–203.
Merrits, D. and Vincent, K. R. (1989) Geomorphic response of coastal streams to low, intermediate, and high rates of uplift, Mendocino triple junction region, northern California. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.101, pp.1373–1388.
Nag, S.K. (1998) Morphometric Analysis using remote sensing techniques in the Chaka Sub-basin, Purulia district, West Bengal. Jour. Indian Soc. Remote Sensing, v.26(1), pp.69–76.
Pavlides, S.B. (1989) Looking for a definition of neotectonics, Terra Nova, v.1, no.3, pp.233–235.
Perez-Pena, J.V., Azor, A., Azanon J.M. and Keller E.A. (2010) Active tectonics in the Sierra Nevada (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain): Insights from geomorphic indices and drainage pattern analysis. Geomorphology, v.119, pp.74–87.
Sah, D.L. and Singh, O.R. (1975) Report on the geological and geomorphological investigations in Paonta valley, Sirmur district, Himachal Pradesh. Geol. Surv. India, Unpubld. Report for FS:1973–74.
Schoenbohm L.M., Whipplee, K.X., Bruchfiel, B.C. and Chen, L. (2004) Geomorphic constraints on surface uplift, exhumation, and plateau growth in the Red River region, Yunnan Province, China. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.116, pp.895–909.
Schumm, S.A. (1956) Evolution of Drainage Systems and Slopes in Badlands at Perth Anboy, New Jersey. Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., v.67, pp.597–646.
Silva, P.G., Goy, J.L., Zazo, C. and Bardaji, T. (2003) Fault-generated Mountain fronts in southeast Spain: geomorphologic assessment of tectonic and seismic activity. Geomorphology v.50, pp.203–225.
Strahler, A.N. (1952) Hypsometric (area-altitude) analysis of erosional topography. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v.63, pp.1117–1142.
Srivastava, G.S., Kulshrestha, A.K. and Agarwal, K.K. (2013) Morphometric evidences of neotectonic block movement in Yamuna Tear Zone of Outer Himalaya, India. Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie v.57(4), pp.471–48.
Valdiya, K.S. (2001) Reactivation of terrain-defining boundary thrusts in central section of the Himalaya. Curr. Sci., v.81(11), pp.1418–1430.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dubey, R.K., Satyam, G.P. Morphotectonic Appraisal of Yamuna River Basin in Headwater Region: A Relative Active Tectonics Purview. J Geol Soc India 92, 346–356 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-1018-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-018-1018-3