Geomorphological investigations and GIS approach of the Tamiš loess plateau, Banat region (northern Serbia)

Abstract

The focus of this study was the loess plateau located in the Tamiš River valley in the central part of Banat region (northern Serbia). This morphologic unit has been formed by the loess accumulation process during the last two glacial periods. Digital elevation model (DEM) is based on the 1:25.000 scale topographic maps. Detailed geomorphologic and hypsometric maps are provided with selected cross sections. The borders of the plateau and spatial distribution of the micromorphology are precisely defined on DEM. The plateau rises gradually from the Upper Pleistocene terrace on the north and northwest, while to the east and south slopes and vertical bluffs were controlled by the lateral erosion process of surrounding channels and by the weathering process on the loess. The plateau has an atypical morphology characterized by reduced geomorphologic diversity. Loess topography is significantly flattened by human impact. Its micromorphology is characterised by shallow depressions and gullies.

Keywords

• loess plateau
• Tamiš River
• DEM
• morphology
• morphometry