Airborne SAR and IRS-1A LISS II Data Interpretation of Coastal Geomorphology in Godavari Delta, India

• Published in: Geocarto international 1999-06, Vol.14 (2), p.52-61
• Main Authors: Madhavan, B. Babu, Venkataraman, G., Mohan, B. Krishna, Shah, S. D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1010-6049; 1752-0762
• DOI: 10.1080/10106049908542104

This paper describes the coastal Geomorphology of Godavari Delta studied by using airborne X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and optical images of IRS-1A LISS II. Palaeo-offshores and the associated fluviomarine geomorphic features have been interpreted. The river morphology has been built with the help of interpretative maps prepared by the digital and visual analysis of SAR and LISS II data. X-band airborne SAR images provided better tonal and textural variation and sharpness to delineate geomorphic features. The delineation of features such as meanderscars, palaeochannel scars and other features with greater ease compared to IRS-1A LISS II vividly demonstrates it. Two geomorphic environments viz., fluvial and marine have been identified based on the interpreted landforms. The Godavari delta was built up with distributaries in four stages, displaying various geomorphic features. On the basis of field studies and images interpretation five strandlines have been identified. A younger strandline, hitherto unreported has been identified parallel to the present coastline. Surface expressions of basement faults and morphostructures have been delineated from SAR images.