Assessment of Neotectonic activities using geomorphical indicators (case study: Kazab basin-yazd)

Abstract

The earth surface and its landforms usually changes by tectonic activities. for defining tectonically activities and changes in the landforms of the earth surface, geomorphological indicators are one of the suitable tools. In the region, there are a few small and great faults and the main goal of the research is studying the movement and activities of the faults in the region in quaternary. To assessment the impacts of neotectonic movements in the region, we showed topographic and morphologic anomalies according to topographic and geologic maps, aerial photographs, digital elevation model, and also filed studies. To evaluate the rate of neo-tectonic activities in the basin, we have used geomorphological indicators includes; Bs, SL, T, Af, SMF, Hc, Hi, S and also geography information system. More indicators show tectonic activities and the movement of the faults. The rate of Bs is high. Besides, the rate of the profile of the river is different, because the main river has located inside a fault valley. SMF index is about 1.2 that indicates tectonic activity. The rate of AF reaches to 19 so that the area of the west is about four times the east segment. The index of hypsometric integral show uplifting especially in the west segment. The indexes of BS SMR are about 1 and 1.3 that both of them point out high rate.

Keywords

• kazab basin
• geomorphic indicators
• morphometry
• neo-tectonic