Dizhi lixue xuebao (Apr 2021)

Spatial characteristics of quantitative geomorphic indices in the Taihang Mountains, north China: Implications for tectonic geomorphology

  • GUAN Xue,
  • PANG Lichen,
  • JIANG Yutong,
  • LYU Honghua,
  • ZHENG Xiangmin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12090/j.issn.1006-6616.2021.27.02.026
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 2
pp. 280 – 293

Abstract

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Tectonic geomorphology focuses on the coupling relationship between tectonics and surface processes, as well as their influence on topographic evolution. Spatial analysis techniques based on digital elevation model (DEM) and geographic information system (GIS) have gradually become one of the quantitative methods of tectonic geomorphologic study. The Taihang Mountains is located at the boundary of China's second and third topographic steps, and has important tectonics and geomorphological significance. However, at present, there are still few studies on the relationship between topographic evolution status of the Taihang Mountains and geological tectonics. Based on the ASTER GDEM data (30 m×30 m) and GIS spatial analysis method, we selected the elevation, slope, hypsometric integral, stream length-gradient index SL and Hack Profile of river slopes in the mainstream of the Taihang Mountains for analysis. Combining with the lithology and tectonics, we discussed the regional landform evolution status of the Taihang Mountains. The results show that, among the 11 rivers analyzed, the HC of 7 rivers is S-shaped, the HI between 0.35 and 0.60, indicating that the geomorphy is in the prime of evolution, while that of the other 4 rivers is concave, HI less than 0.35, indicating strong erosion and destruction effect in the old age. The Hack profiles of 7 rivers are up-convex with relatively high K value, demonstrating the relatively active regional neotectonic activity, while that of the other 4 rivers are approximately straight with low K value, demonstrating the weak regional neotectonic activity. On the whole, the average HI of the Taihang Mountains is 0.36, and the HC is nearly concave S-shaped. The geomorphological evolution of this area is generally in the transitional stage from the "prime age" to the "old age". The neotectonic activity (fault activity) of the Taihang Mountains shows difference in space, with strong activity in the east and relatively weak activity in the west.

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