Ahmed Ali; Nali Hamad
Abstract
Geomorphological indicators are useful tools in assessing tectonic activity in any area. Several geomorphological parameters can be used to analyze the terrain as well as the relative ...
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Geomorphological indicators are useful tools in assessing tectonic activity in any area. Several geomorphological parameters can be used to analyze the terrain as well as the relative tectonic activity. These quantitative parameters are based on the analysis of the drainage network or mountain fronts. They represent a quantitative approach that offers a differential geomorphological analysis which is associated with processes such as erosion and sedimentation in the course of the river, and the longitudinal section of the river; in addition to some characteristics that are drawn from the tectonic features such as cracked edges.
This paper aims to evaluate the relative tectonic activity in the Quaternary era of Chemah Sur vally basin (southeast of Koya district) on the feet of the Haybat Sultan Mountain north of the Little Zab River when it crosses Haybat Sultan Mountain through evaluating the geomorphological parameters of the river drainage network.
The current study adopts quantitative methods to assess the relative tectonic activity in the study area based on the geomorphological indicators followed in this field. The topographic maps of the study area use the scale 1:50000 to help identifying terrains. Landsat satellite imagery and DEM were also used for mapping and facilitating the morphological characterization of topographical features and their role in the evolution of land features.
The results of the measurements Index of mountain front sinuosity (Smf) showed that all mountain fronts indicate low values ranging from 1.024 to 1.214, which refer to straight active fronts with the exception of one belonging to tributary No. 9. The results of Stream length-gradient index (SL) for 46 measuring points along the streams of the tributaries of the Jamah Sur valley show that 19.5% of these measurements are characterized by high tectonic activity with values of more than 500, while 21.7% have medium tectonic activity and 63% of these measurements indicate weak tectonic activity
Asymmetric factor (Af) values also show a widespread asymmetry related to the tectonic tilt of five basins with strong tectonic activity, two of moderate degree and one of weak degree.
