Morphotectonic imprints on the evolution of the fluvial landscape in central India inferred from remotely sensed data and GIS

In the present investigation, various morphotectonic indices were computed through analysis of digital elevation model (DEM) (30 m) in the geographic information system (GIS) to assess the imprints of active tectonics on the evolution of the sedimentary landscape in Lower Right Painganga (LRP) basin of central India. Studies on morphotectonics and their imprints on the evolution of the Painganga basin in Central India were found to be limited to properly understand the tectonics setup and evolution of the fluvial landscape. The LRP basin is characterized by Limestone formations of the Painganga group in the western and dissected outcrops in the central, northern, and eastern parts. Denudational hills, plateau, pediments, pediplain and alluvial plain are the dominant landforms in the basin. The slope of the basin ranges from level to nearly level (0–1%) to steeply sloping (> 30%). Drainage anomalies and well-developed triangular facets facilitates to comprehend the neotectonic activity. Basin shape index (Bs) shows relatively higher neotectonic activity in the LRP basin. Field evidences disclose various sedimentary landscapes like Quaternary alluvium, alluvial fans, anomalies in the stream patterns, river meandering, alluvial terraces, triangular facets, boulder-pebbly beds, natural levees, alluvium, and limestone deposits, which shows that the basin has experienced a neotectonic activity in the recent past. In conjunction with field evidences, morphotectonic indices derived from SRTM DEM 30 m, remote sensing data, and GIS significantly helped in inferring the tectonic imprints on the evolution of the fluvial landscape in the LRP basin.