32 GIS Applications in Geoscience Teaching, Research and Map Production (Posters)
HIMALAYAN TOPOGRAPHY: A LABORATORY FOR STUDYING THE INTERACTION OF TECTONICS AND EROSION
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Authors
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Aaron J. MartinUniversity of Maryland, College Park, MD
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Tank P. OjhaTucson, AZ
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Tom FedenczukThe Univeristy of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Abstract
Spurred by the recognition that lithologic resistivity to erosion influences the steepness of terrain, the purpose of this study is to enhance our understanding of erosion and tectonic responses in the Himalaya. Using spatial statistics, within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, this study extracts steepness and curvature values from the terrain to identify the unique spatial signature of lithologic units in the Annapurna Range. High resolution digital elevation models, derived from a variety of interpolation methods, allow the spatial relationship of faults and statistically significant physiographic changes to be examined. Through these quantifications, we explore the possibility of a new model for tectonic activity near the Main Central Thrust, and improve our understanding of how surface processes sculpt the landscape.