Investigation of Neotectonics along Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis through Remote Sensing and GIS Analysis

Abstract

The fatal earthquake of October 8, 2005 occured in Pakistani Himalayas and specifically within the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS). The HKS is an active tectonic structure formed as a result of India-Eurasia collision. The unrelenting competition between tectonics, climate and erosional factors has created a very distinctive topography and thrust geometries in HKS. The aim is to constrain neotectonics and related active surface deformation based on semi-automated Digital Elevation Model derived morphometric parameters. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission DEM with a spatial resolution of 90 m has been engaged for the generation of Hack gradient, steepness, concavity and relative uplift rate maps for the geomorphological analysis. The other surface dynamic indices such as drainage density, lineament density along with their rose diagrams were also generated automatically. A detailed stream profile analysis, lineament and drainage density, relative relief (incision map) revealed that the results obtained for the relative uplift rates and other geomorphic indices are consistent with the neotectonic activity along HKS. The relative uplift rates are higher in the NNE (2.35 mm/yr.) as compared to lower (0.01 mm/yr.) in the SSW part of study area. The steepness index and Hack gradients show more steepened regions and steep slopes NNE of HKS than SSW that is indicative of neotectonic activity. These results suggest tectonic control over the drainage network and the topography in the study area. The geomorphic indices and relative uplift rate maps also shows that the NNE is more deformed and uplifted region than the SSW. The inhomogeneous spatial distribution of variable relative uplift rates is a clear indication o