Himalayan Geology, Vol. 38 (2), 2017, pp. 171-183, Printed in India

Geomorphic analysis of relative tectonic activity in the Sindh Basin, Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya, northwest India

AHSAN AFZAL WANI, BIKRAM SINGH BALI*

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, India

*Email (Corresponding author): baligeol@gmail.com

Abstract: Himalayan region is affected by a wide range of tectonic variations, geomorphometry is widely accepted approach to evaluate and to understand the imprints of such episodes. In the present study, quantitative analysis of relative tectonic activity was carried out in 58 sub-basins. Five geomorphic indices were used including: drainage basin asymmetry (Af), valley floor width/height ratio(Vfw:Vh), drainage basin shape(Bs), hypsometric integral(Hi), and mountain front sinuosity(Smf). On the basis of synergized geomorphic indices and field evidences, the basins have been first assigned different values of level of active tectonics (LAT), which subsequently were classified into different classes of LAT. On the basis of LAT, the basin was divided into three classes out of which the majority of the sub basins fall under class 2 (31.23%) and class 1 (29.57%) indicating moderate to high tectonic activity prevailing in the area and 39.18% of the basin area falls under class 3 of active tectonics indicating low tectonic activity in the area towards mouth of the Sindh basin. The maximum number of sub basins, towards north, northeast and southeast having high LAT values, fall under class 1 of tectonic activity. In addition, drainage diversions, alignment of major springs and other geomorphological features like linear valleys, triangular facets, folds, joint directions, lineaments, offset streams and ridges were analyzed to assess the effect of tectonic scenario on the Sindh basin.

Key words: Sindh Basin, Morphometry, Active tectonics, Geomorphology, Seismicity.