Geo-spatial assessment of geomorphic characteristics of Swat Valley, Pakistan

Morphometric analysis is essential for understanding drainage networks and landform evolution, particularly in complex mountainous regions like the Swat Valley. Accurate characterization of these features aids in water resource management and mitigating climate-induced challenges. The study employed...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Results in Earth Sciences 2024-12, Vol.2, p.100042, Article 100042
Main Authors: Ahmad, Sheharyar, Shazil, Muhammad Shareef, Hassan, Ahmad Furqan, Afzal, Bashra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drainage basin
Erosion susceptibility
Hypsometric analysis
Remote sensing
Swat Valley
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Morphometric analysis is essential for understanding drainage networks and landform evolution, particularly in complex mountainous regions like the Swat Valley. Accurate characterization of these features aids in water resource management and mitigating climate-induced challenges. The study employed GIS and remote sensing technologies, utilizing SRTM-30m DEM data to perform a comprehensive morphometric and hypsometric analysis. Key morphometric parameters such as basin size, stream order, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, circularity ratio, and elongation ratio were calculated by using Whitebox tool. Additionally, three-dimensional parameters including basin relief, roughness number, ruggedness index, and slope were analyzed. Hypsometric analysis was conducted to examine area-elevation relationships, using empirical formulas and contour data. The basin was found to be irregularly shaped, with an elongation ratio of 6.97 and a circulatory ratio of 0.3091, indicating an elongated form. Flow accumulation data highlighted areas of rapid and moderate water flow. Hypsometric analysis showed that 14 sub-basins were in an erosional stage, 8 were mature, and the remainder were older and more resistant to erosion. The overall hypsometric integral (HI) of 0.406 reflects moderate elevation variation across the basin. The study provides critical insights into the geomorphometric controls of the Swat Valley's drainage system, contributing to improved water resource management strategies. Understanding morphometric and hypsometric characteristics is vital for adapting to climate-induced risks and safeguarding water resources in mountainous landscapes.
ISSN:2211-7148
2211-7148
DOI:10.1016/j.rines.2024.100042