Relative active tectonic in the metamorphic rocks of the Yaounde group: insights from geomorphic indices and topographic analysis

The Yaounde Group(YG),representing the southern edge of the North Equatorial PanAfrican Belt,consists of quartzites,schists,micaschists,amphibolites,gneisses and migmatites.Tectonism has formed a landscape characterized by the development of linear and folded valleys and ridges,fault scarps,V-shaped valleys,incised rivers and knickpoints.These landforms constitute important markers of the regional tectonic activity,which have been computed from spatial sources such as SRTM,DEM,hydrographical networks and geomorphic indices such as AF,T,Smf,Vf,Bs,Hi,U,SI and Li.The results highlighted a mature relief consisting of asymmetric basins generated by tilting and uplift phenomena.The relative index of active tectonics(RIAT)has been estimated from an average of eight geomorphic indices evaluated on 24 subbasins,in the study area.Four classes have been defined:class 1(1.38),very high active(1.0≤RIAT<1.5);class 2(1.50-1.88),high active(1.5≤RIAT<2.0);and class 3(2.00-2.13)moderate active(2.0≤RIAT<2.5).These three classes,respectively covering 10.20%(458 km2),80.10%(3595 km2)and 9.69%(435 km2)of the study area,have shown a highly active tectonic zone,and imply the existence of a neotectonic event in the YG.This tectonic unit(YG)was also affected by the dextral NW-SE strike-slip faulting,which cross-cut the Sanaga Shear Zone(SSZ)at Ebebda and the foliation oriented NW-SE.The tilting and uplift of rocks related to Moho ascending are responsible for crustal thinning in the Cameroon basement,more important to the Adamawa Plateau from the Cretaceous age and the reactivation of existing tectonic accidents.The presence of hills,fault scarps,reverse faults,knickpoints,V and U shaped valleys and rounded mountains testify to the interaction between tectonic uplift,lithology,climate,weathering and erosion.

Proposing a novel geo-structural model for Torbat-e-Jam-Fariman plain(Northeast of Iran),based on Geomorphic indices calculation,conjugating the field evidences

There are various faults in northern and southern margins of Torbat-e-Jam-Fariman plain which show the probability of enormous earthquake in the future.In present study the geomorphic indices contain Asymmetry Function(Af),Sinuosity of mountain front(Smf),Valley floor index(Vf),Hypsometric index(Hi),Mean Axial slope of channel index(MASC)and Drainage Basin Shape(Bs),have been utilized to determine the relative tectonic activity index(IAT)to recognize,eventually,the geo-structural model of the study area.Faults and folds control the geo-structural activities of the study area,and the geomorphic indices are being affected in consequence of their activities.The intensity of these activities is different throughout the plain.There are many geomorphic evidences,related to active transform fault which are detectable all over the study area such as deviated rivers,quaternary sediments transformation,fault traces.Therefore,recognition of geo-structural model of the study area is extremely vital.Field study,then,approved the results of geomorphic indices calculation in determining the geo-structural model of the study area.Results depicted that the geostructural model of the study area is a kind of Horsetail splay form which is in accordance to the relative tectonic activity of the study area.Based on the above mentioned results it can be predicted that the splays are the trail of Neyshabour fault.

Geomorphological responses of rivers to active tectonics along the Karahay?t Fault, Western Türkiye

Understanding the topography in active tectonic areas and assessing the rates and models of active deformation in the upper crust are primary objectives in tectonic geomorphology studies. The drainage pattern of river systems is highly sensitive to tectonically induced changes, and it often preserves the records of the formation and progression of most tectono-geomorphic processes within its boundaries. Therefore, the evolution of landforms is a consequence of the evolution of individual drainage basins in which they are formed. Assessing the rates of tectonic deformation using geomorphic data is a traditionally adopted method to characterize the nature of active faults. Globally, the Digital Elevation Model(DEM) is widely used as a crucial tool to analyze the morphotectonic features of drainage basins. In this study, some geomorphic indices were applied to investigate the impact of tectonism on landscape along the Karahay?t Fault and its associated drainage areas. These geomorphic indices are mountain front sinuosity(Smf values between 1.17-1.52), valley floor width-to-height ratio(Vf values between 0.25-1.46), basin asymmetry factor(AF values between 15-72), drainage basin shape(Bs values between 3.18-6.01), hypsometric integral and curve(HI values between 0.32-047), channel sinuosity(S values between 1-1.6), normalized steepness index(Ksn values between 1-390) and Chi integral(χ values between 200-4400). The development of drainage areas on the hanging wall and footwall block of the Karahayit Fault differs depending on the uplift. The drainage areas developed on the hanging wall present different patterns depending on the regional uplift caused by the fault. This reveals that the fault contributed significantly to the development of drainage areas and regional uplift in the region. In addition, the maximum earthquake magnitude that may occur in the future on the Karahayit Fault, whose activity is supported by geomorphic indices, is calculated as 6.23. Since an earthquake of this magnitude may cause loss of life and property in the region, precautions should be taken.

Tectonic geomorphology of Türkiye and its insights into the neotectonic deformation of the Anatolian Plate

Quantitative geomorphic analyses are usually powerful in identifying active tectonics across global orogenic belts.Our present study will focus on the Anatolian Plate which hosts a lot of recent catastrophic earthquakes in Türkiye.Six geomorphic indices for 100 sub-basins around Türkiye have been computed including local relief,slope,normalized steepness index(k_(Sn)),hypsometric curve and integral(HI),transverse topographic symmetry factor(Tf),and the basin asymmetry factor(Af).The averaged kSnand Af values have shown four high-value anomalous zones,suggesting relatively high uplift rates featured by high river incision and regional tilting.The values of 0.35≤HI<0.6 for basins with S-shaped curves imply intensive tectonic activities along the eastern part of the North Anatolian Fault Zone(NAFZ),the Northeast Anatolian Fault Zone(NEAFZ),the East Anatolian Fault Zone(EAFZ),and the Central Anatolian Fault Zone(CAFZ).All results of the geomorphic indices analysis suggest a relatively high degree of tectonic activity in the following four areas,the Isparta Angle,the Eastern Black Sea Mountains,the South-eastern Anatolia Region,and the Central Anatolian fault zone.We further suggest that the eastern part of the NAFZ,NEAFZ,EAFZ,and CAFZ will be more active in tectonic activities,with a greater potential for strong earthquake occurrence.

Relative active tectonics evaluation using geomorphic and drainage indices, in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, western India

The present study area,Dadra and Nagar Haveli,contains several lineaments and traces of active faults.The various aspect of the geomo rphic analysis,i.e.,stream length(SL) gradient,hypsometric integral(HI),basin shape(BS),valley floor(VF),have been applied to evaluate the relative index of active tectonics(RIAT) of the Damanganga watershed.The high and low zones of tectonic activity have been identified based on the geomorphic analysis of the watershed.After evaluation of all indices,three classes,class IIhigh(1.3 ≤RIAT <1.5),class Ⅲ-moderate(1.5 ≤RIAT <1.8),and class Ⅳ-low(1.8 ≤RIAT),have been obtained to outline the degree/gradation of comparative tectonic activities in the study area.The appraised outcome of the RIAT dispersal is also well reinforced by the geomorphic evidence in the field.The collective outcomes of geomorphic evidence,such as stream deflection and analysis of lineament,deflection of streams,and geomorphic indices,conceal that the Damanganga watershed is affected by tectonic activity.

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.

Evaluation of relative tectonic activity along the Priene-Sazli Fault(Soke Basin,southwest Anatolia):Insights from geomorphic indices and drainage analysis

The West Anatolia Extensional Zone, which has a width of about 300 km, is located within the Alpine-Himalayan belt and is one of the regions with intense seismic activity in the world. The most important geomorphological structures in this area are three main graben structures resulting from regional N-S extension since the Early Miocene. These structures are the E-W trending Büyük Menderes, Kü?ük Menderes, and Gediz grabens. S?ke Basin is located at the SW end of the Büyük Menderes graben. The lineaments which control the NW of S?ke Basin have a length of approximately 40 km and have been defined as the Priene-Sazl? Fault(PSF). The PSF is seismically active, and the last large earthquake(the S?ke-Balat earthquake; Ms: 6.8) was produced on July 16 th of 1955. The ancient city of Priene, which was located in the study area, suffered from destructive earthquakes(in the 4 th century and 2 nd century BC, in the 2 nd century AD, during the Byzantine period and after the 12 th century BC). This study aims to reveal the effect of the PSF on the morphotectonic evolution of the region and the relative tectonic activity of the fault. To this end, it was the first time the stream length gradient index(SL: 130-1303), mountain-front sinuosity(Smf: 1.15-1.96), valley floor height and valley width ratio(Vf: 0.27-1.66), drainage basin asymmetry(AF: 0.15-0.76), hypsometric curve(HC) and hypsometric integral(HI: 0.22-0.86) and basin shape index(Bs: 1.04-5.75) along the mountain front that is formed by the PSF. Using a combination of the mountain-front sinuosity(Smf), valley floor height and valley width ratio(Vf), it is found that the uplift ratio in the region is not less than 0.05 mm/yr and the relative tectonic activity of PSF is high. According to the relative tectonic activity index(Iat) obtained from geomorphic indices, the southwest part of the PSF is relatively more active than the northeast part. As a result, I posit that the PSF has the potential to produce earthquakes in the future similarly to those that were produced in the past, and that the most destructive earthquakes will likely occur on the southwest segments of the fault according to geomorphic indices.

Analysis Neotectonic Activities in Khafr Basin

As Iran is located on one of the two earthquake-prone belts in the world, and existence of faults and earthquakes is normal in Iran tableland. The main reason of earthquake is Neotectonic movements which can be effective in other natural disasters such as range movements. Due to the severe shortage of historical and seismic data and device in different parts of the world, particularly Iran, need for introducing more researchers and planners of Iran to tectonics and active tectonic areas is more visible. This study is an investigation of Neotectonic activities in Khafr basin area, Fars province. To achieve the aims of this study morphometric parameters were used. Investigations showed that severity and role of tectonic activities in different parts of the basin is different, results of geomorphic and tectonic assessments indicate these differences.Stream length-gradient index (SL) on the main stream is inactive and sub streams are semi active, the ratio of the basin (BS) is 2.27, drainage basin asymmetry index (AF) is in semi active class, the ratio of width to depth of Valley (VF) shows 0.78. Indicators mentioned are in class 3 based on Iat classification, that represents tectonic activity in the area is average. Other indicators are indicative of active tectonic in the basin such as drainage density index (D) with high density, river sinuosity (S) 1.25, reverse topography symmetry Factor (T) 0.3.Generally it can be considered as moderately active region in terms of tectonic activities.

Post-orogenic transients and relict landforms of the Bafoussam–Mamfe region(West-Cameroon Highland margin)

The Bafoussam-Mamfe Region(BMR)belongs to the Western Cameroon Highland margin,an amalgam of transient landscape that evolved from the interactions between tectonics,lithology and climate forcings.This area is tectonically active and shows differential tectonic uplift,contrasting relief,variations in erosion rates,in river incision,and in channel gradient.In order to appraise the BMR tectono-geomorphic evolution,it is essential to understand relationships between internal and external processes and their geomorphic expression at a river basin scale.For this purpose,we use drainage texture(Dt),stream frequency(Fs),drainage density(Dd),asymmetry factor(AF),the transverse topographic symmetry factor(TTSF),the mean of mountain front sinuosity per unit(Smf),concavity factor(Cf),hypsometry integral(HI)and streamlength gradient index(SL-index)based on 30 m Digital Elevation Models(DEM)and field survey.The results reveal considerable variations in geology,relief,topography and geomorphic indices values differentiated into three geomorphic units;the Mamfe unit developed on the Mamfe Cretaceous basin,the Nguti and Bafoussam high plateau units build up on the Precambrian granito-gneissic basement overlaid by a volcanic cover.The stepped(longitudinal and normalized)river profiles and complex hypsometric curves show the lithostructural control of the hydrographic network.Dt(from~1.21 to~4.59),Fs(from~0.26 to~1.91),Dd(from~0.66 to~1.71)geomorphic indice values indicate a part of lithologic control on this morphology while the AF(from~1.16to~24.91),TTSF(from~0.20 to~0.71),Smf(U2=1.11 and U3=1.19),Cf(from~-20.91 to~78.93),HI(from~0.12 to~0.52)and SL-index designate the active tectonics as the main factor that had controlled the morphology of this same area.Above results pinpoint the combined post-Pan-African to Recent tectonic features,lithologic heterogeneities and the differential erosion processes as main factors that have controlled the BMR landscape.These results highlight how the Central African surface and the West African passive margin evolved since Proterozoic time.

Evaluation of the Relative Tectonic Activity from the Faults in the Gengma-Lancang-Menghai Seismic Belt(Southwestern China)

The Gengma-Lancang-Menghai seismic belt,the southernmost part of the North-South seismic belt,is controlled by four active faults:the Nantinghe fault(NTHF),the Sanjianshan fault(SJSF),the Hanmuba-Lancang fault(HMB-LCF),and the Heihe fault(HHF),from northwest to southeast.However,the tectonic activity of the faults in the Gengma-Lancang-Menghai seismic belt has not been fully studied yet.In the present work,we conducted tectonic geomorphic indices to analyze the relative tectonic activity along the faults in the seismic belt based on the digital elevation model.We interpreted asymmetric factor,index of drainage basin shape,hypsometric integral,normalized streamlength gradient,valley floor-to-width to height ratio,and longitudinal profiles to show that the relative tectonic activity is higher in the north and lower in the south,and is strong in the region from Shanjia to Huimin in the center of the seismic belt.

Geomorphometric Evidence of an Active Pop-up Structure along the Sabzpushan Fault Zone,Zagros Mountains,SW Iran

Evaluation of active tectonism by means of geomorphic indices has provided crucial semi-quantitative data for evaluating seismic hazards in a fault zone in a semiarid area of the Zagros Mountains of Iran where tectonic rates are low-to-moderate and there are few Quaternary dates. Quaternary activity along the seismically active but poorly understood Sabzpushan fault zone （SFZ） has been investigated. The SFZ consists of two dextral strike-slip faults, the Zafarabad and Kafari faults. Geomorphic indices including mountain front sinuosity, valley asymmetry factor, hypsometric integral, valley floor width to valley height ratio and stream length gradient index were used to assess the effects of active reverse faults which control the topographic relief and Quaternary activity. Geomorphometric and field evidence reveal that the Quaternary activity and topographic relief of the study area are controlled by two reverse faults, the North and South Sabzpushan reverse faults, which have formed a pop-up structure in the contractional step-over area between the Zafarabad and Kafari dextral strikeslip faults as a consequence of oblique convergence between the Afro-Arabian and Iranian plates accommodated by the North and South Sabzpushan thrust faults.