Fluvial and aeolian dynamics of the Santa María River in the Cafayate depression (Salta Province, NW Argentina)

Abstract

A geomorphological cartography of the Cafayate depression (NW Argentina) at a scale of 1:20,000 is presented. The Main Map was made with satellite images from 2009 to 2016 and aerial photographs from various dates. The area was classified into three categories of geomorphological dynamics according the type of fluvio-aeolian interaction. Anastomosing channels and crevasse splays are dominant in the southern section of the Santa María River, while meandering channels develop in the northern section. Extensive dune fields interacting with fluvial deposits have developed in the central sector of the depression. The Main Map also reflects the main human features and can be used as a tool for preparing hazard maps.

Keywords

• Fluvial geomorphology
• aeolian dynamics
• geomorphological cartography
• Holocene
• arid environments