Fractal Measures of Drainage Network to Investigate Surface Deformation from Remote Sensing Data: A Paradigm from Hindukush (NE-Afghanistan)

This approach represents the relative susceptibility of the topography of the earth to active deformation by means of geometrical distinctiveness of the river networks. This investigation employs the fractal analysis of drainage system extracted from ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM-30m resolution). The objective is to mark active structures and to pinpoint the areas robustly influenced by neotectonics. This approach was examined in the Hindukush, NE-Afghanistan. This region is frequently affected by deadly earthquakes and the modern fault activities and deformation are driven by the collision between the northward-moving Indian subcontinent and Eurasia. This attempt is based on the fact that drainage system is strained to linearize due to neotectonic deformation. Hence, the low fractal dimensions of the Kabul, Panjsher, Laghman, Andarab, Alingar and Kocha Rivers are credited to active tectonics. A comprehensive textural examination is conducted to probe the linearization, heterogeneity and connectivity of the drainage patterns. The aspects for these natural textures are computed by using the fractal dimension (FD), lacunarity (LA) and succolarity (SA) approach. All these methods are naturally interrelated, i.e. objects with similar FD can be further differentiated with LA and/or SA analysis. The maps of FD, LA and SA values are generated by using a sliding window of 50 arc seconds by 50 arc seconds (50" × 50"). Afterwards, the maps are interpreted in terms of regional susceptibility to neotectonics. This method is useful to pinpoint numerous zones where the drainage system is highly controlled by Hindukush active structures. In the North-Northeast of the Kabul block, we recognized active tectonic blocks. The region comprising, Kabul, Panjsher, Andrab, Alingar and Badakhshan is more susceptible to damaging events. This investigation concludes that the fractal analysis of the river networks is a bonus tool to localize areas vulnerable to deadly incidents influencing the Earth’s topography and consequently intimidate human lives.

Appraisal of active tectonics in Hindu Kush:Insights from DEM derived geomorphic indices and drainage analysis

Landscapes in tectonically active Hindu Kush （NW Pakistan and NE Alghanistanl result from a complex integration of the effects of vertical and horizontal crustal block motions as well as erosion and deposition processes. Active tectonics in this region have greatly influenced the drainage system and geomorphic expressions. The study area is a junction of three important mt^unlain ranges （Hindu Kush-Karakorunl-Himalayas） and is thus an ideal natural laboratory to investigate the relative tectonic activity resulting from the India-Eurasia collision. We evaluate active tectonics using DEM derived drainage network and geomorphic indices hypsometric integral （Hl）. stream-length gradient （SL）, fractal dimension （FD）, basin asymmetry factor （AF）, basin shape index （B,）, valley floor width to wllley height ratio （Vf） and motmtain front sinuosity （Star）. The results obtained from these indices were combined to yield an index of relative active tectonics （IRAT） using GIS. The average of the seven measured geomorphic indices was used to ewfluate the distri- bution of relative tectonic activity in the study area. We defined tour classes to define the degree of rela- tive tectonic activity： class 1 very high （1.0 ≤ IRAT 〈 1.3）; class 2 high （1.3 ≥ IRAT 〈 1.5）： class 3--moderate （1.5 〉 IRAT 〈 1.8）; and class 4--low （1.8 〉 IRAT）. In view of the results, we conclude that this combined approach allows the identification of the highly deformed areas related to active tectonics. Landsat imagery and field observations also evidence the presence of active tectonics based on the deflected streams, deformed landforms, active mountain fronts and triangular facets. The indicative values of IRAT are consistent with the areas of known relative uplift rates, landforms and geology.

Drainage Network and Lineament Analysis:An Approach for Potwar Plateau(Northern Pakistan)

Drainage responds rapidly to tectonic changes and thus it is a potential parameter for tectonogeomorphological analysis.Drainage network of Potwar is a good geological record of movement, displacements, regional uplifts and erosion of the tectonic units.This study focuses on utilizing drainage network extracted from Shuttle Radar Digital Elevation Data(SRTM-DEM) in order to constrain the structure of the Potwar Plateau.SWAN syncline divides Potwar into northern Potwar deformed zone(NPDZ) and southern Potwar platform zone(SPPZ).We extracted the drainage network from DEM and analyzed 112 streams using stream power law.Spatial distribution of concavity and steepness indices were used to prepare uplift rate map for the area.DEM was further utilized to extract lineaments to study the mutual relationship between lineaments and drainage patterns.We compared the local correlation between the extracted lineaments and drainage network of the area that gives us quantitative information and shows promising prospects.The streams in the NPDZ indicate high steepness values as compared to the streams in the SPPZ.The spatial distribution of geomorphic parameters and uplift rates suggest the distinctive deformation among eastern, central and western parts.The local correlation between drainage network and lineaments from DEM is strongly positive in the area within 1 km of radius.

Towards a Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Technique to Study Population and Urban Growth: A Case Study of Multan

In recent decades, the migration rates of the large cities of Punjab have been risen up to a considerable level due to the lack of employment opportunities as well as lack of facilities in the rural areas of the province. It has caused an unprecedented and unplanned urbanization across the urban areas of the province. This study has been undertaken to perform fractal analysis about the sprawl in rapidly growing city. GIS and remote sensing data have been used in this study as an emerging technology which is cost effective as well as accurate at the same time. Landsat images have been taken for the study and the sprawl has been calculated with the analysis of the data of each decade for past more than 40 years. It has been observed that the built up area is 47.8 to 141.12 Sq. Km whereas the pattern of urban settlement has been classified as clustered and linear, following the roads network. The temporal population growth also seconded these results. The population growth rate and population density increase, are based on the pixel based extraction of the data from satellite imagery for the period of 2000 to 2014, which is taken as a decision support tool. In 2000, the population of the district increased from 2,071,694 (1981 census) to 2,939,907 and then in 2013, it became 4,384,191 at a rate to 2.93% upturn per annum. Moreover, the study also reveals the extent of the growth of other land uses as well which may be taken as a reference that in an agricultural country like Pakistan, the natural resources are being wasted (by urbanization of the fertile land). There must be some master planning to avoid such things in the other cities as well.

Appraisal of Urban Heat Island and Its Impacts on Environment Using Landsat TM in Peshawar, Pakistan

Last couple of decades witnessed a rapid escalation in urban temperature of Peshawar city and its neighboring localities. This alarming condition gave birth to climatic term Urban Heat Island (UHI) created drastic alteration in surface temperatures. In this study, thermal infrared remote sensing data has been employed to map out and monitor such micro-climatic variation in temperatures in land use/land cover exposed surface to the environment. To assess these outcomes resulting from human activities, Landsat TM data band 6 was subjected through ERDAS Imagine 2013. For further processing, ARC GIS helped a lot in making maps to pinpoint the heat island in and around the city. Moreover, a relationship of land surface temperature with urban sprawl, environmental and industrialization was established. This study has shown a substantial upsurge in temperature about 1 to 3 degrees. Urban sprawl and industrialization at the edges are accounting for these conditions. Urban and industrial data has also reinforced the fact being drawn from remotely sensed data. Hence, evaluation of Land surface temperature data captured through remote satellite has proven to be effective tool not only for monitoring and analyzing temperature but also for assessing its adverse impacts on the environment and climate.

Flood Frequency Analysis of Chenab River for Predicting Peak Flows during Late Monsoon Period

The River Chenab is one of the main western rivers of the Indus River system in Pakistan, which undergoes intensive inundation almost every year during the late monsoon period. The present study performs flood frequency analyses for the river basin as well as simulates different levels of water flow in the system to speculate all kinds of inundation under different scenarios, i.e., to predict flood hazard and flood extended areas. Flood frequency analyses were performed at MARALA Headworks to Khanki Headworks. Data were collected from the Punjab Irrigation Department, Pakistan and from USGS and ASTER GDEM. The peak discharge of MARALA Headworks had been analyzed for 25 years. The preprocessing was performed in HEC Geo-RAS after preprocessing model run in HEC-RAS. After analysis the data were exported in HEC-RAS to ARCMAP to generate a floodplain and inundation map. Our analysis generated the result that different areas would be under water in different return periods. Flood hazards maps for different return periods 10, 20, 50 and 100 years were conducted using annual peaks flow of 35 years from 1980 to 2016. The maximum discharges at up and down stream for different periods were obtained using Gumbel distribution model results which showed that different areas were predicted under water in different return periods and affected areas after five years’ return period.

Towards Foreign Tourist at Heritage Sites Using GIS: A Case Study of Lahore

Pakistan is potentially a good tourist destination for cultural and heritage overs because the Indus and Gandhara Civilizations, and a great Mughals heritage also exists in Pakistan particularly in Lahore city. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in modern world. This study is based on the number of foreign tourist who visited the heritage sites of Lahore. The purpose of the study is to examine the number of foreign tourist who visited the heritage sites of the Lahore at Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort and Lahore Museum and to find the tourism trend in Lahore whether it is declining or growing high. The secondary source of data was used and data was collected from archeology department, Lahore Museum and Pakistan Year Book of Statics 2014. Tools used for research purpose were Microsoft excel, Microsoft word and ARC GIS. The number of foreign tourists that visited Lahore fort were highest in 2006 i.e. 21,178 this is the highest number of tourists who visited Lahore Fort in 15 years and 2906 lowest number of foreign tourist who visited Lahore fort, at Shalimar Gardens highest number of foreign tourists was 8558 in 2000 and the lowest number was 309 in 2013 and at Lahore Museum in 7242 tourists is the highest number of Foreign tourist who visited museum in 2000 and the lowest number of foreign tourists that visited Lahore Museum was 1825 in 2010. The trend of foreign tourism in Lahore is declining after the incident of nine eleven due to terrorism. But now with the efforts of government and work of Walled city authority foreign tourism industry is growing in Lahore as it is the Queen of cities having major and attractive heritage places for tourist.