Introduction
Alluvial system are one of the most vulnerable geomorphic landforms. They undergo deformation in response to climatic conditions, human development and tectonic activity quite rapidly. It is not uncommon to see significant alteration to a drainage network in a few decades and in some cases their complete demise creating an urban stream desert (Napieralski, et al). Studying crustal response in environments with active plate tectonics has mainly been used to predict earthquakes and to estimate their impact. Due to the dynamic nature of alluvial systems, field studies can determine the rate of current faults and wraps and can forecast abnormal changes to the drainage network.
It was determined by field observations and measurements …show more content…
Other rivers display a change in the patterns of their channels and that has been caused by the active tectonic subsidence that’s been present for a while now. Moreover, there are other rivers that have a sharp increase in their sinuosity where the monoclinal activity has steepened the valley slopes (Ouchi 1985). Aside from that, it is estimated that 25-75% of all continental drainage (excluding previously glaciated areas) has been directly affected by tectonics (Melton 1959). Also it is worthwhile to mention the fact that the most prominent examples of tectonic effects on rivers can be observed with smaller channels. However, the overall energy of these small channels is low and as a result they may not be able to respond too quickly to changes. Nevertheless, larger channels are the ones that are most affected by small change in slope from deformation that has been caused by tectonics (Schumm, Dumont, and Holbrook …show more content…
The first approach deals with existing and ongoing tectonic activity and quantifying its effects on river systems. The second deals with investigating river system anomalies to estimate historical tectonic activity. Patterns in the longitudinal profile, the presence of terraces or lakes, and changes to depth and width can serve as signs of previous tectonic activity.
Watersheds are the most urbanized areas of the planet. A good understanding of active tectonics in these areas allows structural geologist and hydrological engineers to make better predictions on the future integrity of the buildings, riparian zones and flooding events. Furthermore, the syntectonic response of fluvial systems will have an effect on the sedimentary deposits of that fluvial system and this is vital information to sedimentologists and stratigraphers (Schumm, Dumont, and Holbrook 2000). Active tectonics can also trigger other hydromorphic responses affecting incision rates. Higher incision rates will yield more sedimentary loads and deposits which have shown to degrade river ecosystems (Bernhardt and Palmer,
Alluvial system are one of the most vulnerable geomorphic landforms. They undergo deformation in response to climatic conditions, human development and tectonic activity quite rapidly. It is not uncommon to see significant alteration to a drainage network in a few decades and in some cases their complete demise creating an urban stream desert (Napieralski, et al). Studying crustal response in environments with active plate tectonics has mainly been used to predict earthquakes and to estimate their impact. Due to the dynamic nature of alluvial systems, field studies can determine the rate of current faults and wraps and can forecast abnormal changes to the drainage network.
It was determined by field observations and measurements …show more content…
Other rivers display a change in the patterns of their channels and that has been caused by the active tectonic subsidence that’s been present for a while now. Moreover, there are other rivers that have a sharp increase in their sinuosity where the monoclinal activity has steepened the valley slopes (Ouchi 1985). Aside from that, it is estimated that 25-75% of all continental drainage (excluding previously glaciated areas) has been directly affected by tectonics (Melton 1959). Also it is worthwhile to mention the fact that the most prominent examples of tectonic effects on rivers can be observed with smaller channels. However, the overall energy of these small channels is low and as a result they may not be able to respond too quickly to changes. Nevertheless, larger channels are the ones that are most affected by small change in slope from deformation that has been caused by tectonics (Schumm, Dumont, and Holbrook …show more content…
The first approach deals with existing and ongoing tectonic activity and quantifying its effects on river systems. The second deals with investigating river system anomalies to estimate historical tectonic activity. Patterns in the longitudinal profile, the presence of terraces or lakes, and changes to depth and width can serve as signs of previous tectonic activity.
Watersheds are the most urbanized areas of the planet. A good understanding of active tectonics in these areas allows structural geologist and hydrological engineers to make better predictions on the future integrity of the buildings, riparian zones and flooding events. Furthermore, the syntectonic response of fluvial systems will have an effect on the sedimentary deposits of that fluvial system and this is vital information to sedimentologists and stratigraphers (Schumm, Dumont, and Holbrook 2000). Active tectonics can also trigger other hydromorphic responses affecting incision rates. Higher incision rates will yield more sedimentary loads and deposits which have shown to degrade river ecosystems (Bernhardt and Palmer,