Determination of Evolution Stages of Landform: A Comparative Study of Mountain-Plain (Kosi, Bihar) and Plateau-Plain (Kangsabati, WB) Regions of Tropical India

Abstract

The major aim of quantitative geomorphology is to understand the geomorphological stages of evolution of any area. The quantitative revolution and the development of remote sensing and GIS techniques have brought greater attention to this field of analysis. We have used a morphometric analysis, which is an important indicator to understand the geomorphic stages of evolution of any drainage basin, to compare the drainage basin characteristics and related stages of evolution of a mountain-plain and plateau-plain drainage basin in tropical India. The Kosi basin has been selected for the mountain-plain area and Kangsabati basin is the chosen region for the plateau-plain area. Different drainage morphometric parameters and measurements related to linear, areal, relief characteristics have been determined through the use of SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) GeoDEM and ARC GIS 10.1. Area-altitude relationship and hypsometric characteristics have also been accessed to identify the stages of geomorphic evolution. All the relief characteristics indicate Kosi in a young or rejuvenated stage when compared to the mature plateau region of the river of Kangsabati. Morphometric characteristics also indicate that there are high geologic and geomorphological controls on river basin characteristics.