Morphotectonic Analysis in the Ghezel Ozan River Basin, NW Iran

Abstract

Morphotectonic analysis by the use of geomorphic indices serves as a tool of recognition in regions with active tectonic deformation. Landforms in active deformation area are created from interaction of tectonic and surficial processes. One of the most important landforms in ground are rivers that are very sensitive to tectonic movements especially uplift and tilting. Thus based on analysis of the rivers and related drainage networks by the use of geomorphic indices we will be able to attain valuable information about tectonic history of the area.

In this article, determine of tectonic movements bye the use of geomorphic indices is surveyed in the Ghezel Ozan River basin between 2007 and 2010. After segmentation of the Ghezel Ozan River and preparation of digital elevation model (DEM) amounts of geomorphic indices per segments is separately attained. The attained amounts show that different segments of the Ghezel Ozan River vary from each other regarding the amount of tectonic activity and tectonic movements increase from west to east and also, the amount of tectonic tilting is negligible in a lot of the Ghezel Ozan River segments. This situation is completely in agreement with the trend of the seismicity of the area.