Morphotectonic analysis of Aripal Basin in the North-Western Himalayas (India): An evaluation of tectonics derived from geomorphic indices

Himalayan river basins are exposed to continuous erosion and deformational processes. The main goal of this paper is to characterize the tectonic activity, as it acts as a controlling factor in the development of landforms in the tectonically active terrains. Research was carried out in the Aripal basin, which lies to the South East of Kashmir Valley, one of the right bank tributary of river Jhelum. The geomorphic indices and Morphometric parameters are determined using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Reflection and Emission Radiometer (ASTER) 30 m Digital Elevation Model. The low mountain front sinuosity (Smf = 1.3), S-type hypsometric curve with high Hypsometric Integral (HI = 0.35), low Valley floor width to valley height ratios (Vf < 1), elongated basin shape (Ff = 0.569), higher stream frequency, and low drainage density suggest that the area is tectonically active. The calculated geomorphic indices in the present work, along with extensive field data, reveal considerable variation in the relief, topography, and predominance of tectonic activity over erosional processes in shaping the landforms of the basin.