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Morphotectonic Expressions of the Drainage Basins and Channel Long Profile Forms on a Selected Part of Sikkim-Bhutan Himalayas

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Himalayan Neotectonics and Channel Evolution

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Abstract

This study is an endeavour for analysing the neotectonic signatures reflected at basin scale for few selected rivers in the eastern part of Himalayas through the application of morphotectonic indices. River catchments around the Jaldhaka re-entrant have been considered in this study due to its proven sensitivity to neotectonic perturbations. Since, the impact of neotectonics has already been sensed on the piedmont segment, the nature of sensitiveness of the fluvial forms at the entire catchment scale to tectonic deformations has been the focal theme of this study. The selection of the eleven morphotectonic indices was done pondering on three major geomorphic perspectives; basin form components, basin and valley relief components and channel long profile form parameters. The nature of the geomorphic signatures found at the basin scale, river valleys and along the river courses have steered towards an ongoing adjustment of the fluvial units with active tectonism. Invariably the catchments are experiencing a state of dynamic equilibrium where adjustment between the fluvial activity and tectonic upliftment along the major thrusts is characteristic of fluvial form modifications within the studied catchments. The neotectonic perturbations have its indentations reflected in the channel long profile form adjustments with characteristic differences of channel responses related to different expressions of surface warping. Spatial associations of the knick points has been observed in a close correspondence with the Himalayan thrusts and surface deformations, developed on the alluvial reaches of the foredeep plain are explicitely associated with the neotectonic twitching.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700073, India

    Ujwal Deep Saha

  2. Vivekananda College for Women, Kolkata, 700008, India

    Nilanjana Biswas

  3. SACT-I, Surendranath College for Women, Kolkata, 700009, India

    Sushonova Mondal

  4. Vivekananda College for Women, Kolkata, 700008, India

    Soma Bhattacharya

Authors
  1. Ujwal Deep Saha
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  2. Nilanjana Biswas
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  3. Sushonova Mondal
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  4. Soma Bhattacharya
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Techno India University, Kolkata, India

    Harendra Nath Bhattacharya

  2. Department of Geography, Vivekananda College for Women, Kolkata, India

    Soma Bhattacharya

  3. Department of Geography, Krishnagar Government College, Krishnanagar, India

    Balai Chandra Das

  4. Department of Geography, Aliah University, Kolkata, India

    Aznarul Islam

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Saha, U.D., Biswas, N., Mondal, S., Bhattacharya, S. (2022). Morphotectonic Expressions of the Drainage Basins and Channel Long Profile Forms on a Selected Part of Sikkim-Bhutan Himalayas. In: Bhattacharya, H.N., Bhattacharya, S., Das, B.C., Islam, A. (eds) Himalayan Neotectonics and Channel Evolution. Society of Earth Scientists Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95435-2_7

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