Morphometric evidences for neotectonism in the Mulki River basin of coastal Karnataka, India

Abstract

Mulki River basin, a rectilinear midland river draining the coastal Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka located in the Mulki-Pulikat Lake axis in south Indian Peninsula shield has been analysed for various morphometric characteristics to understand the tectonic conditions of the basin along with supporting evidences of geomorphology, geology and structural features using Remote Sensing and GIS technology. The regional neotectonism suggested by earlier workers evidenced through geomorphologic features and geology of the area has been established through morphometric analysis. Even though Mulki, a 6 th order river basin obeys the Horton's laws of stream order it disobeys the Horton's law of stream length, indicating the regional uplift due to neotectonic activities. Fluctuating stream length ratio of successive stream orders in the basin again stress upliftment and a late youth stage development of geomorphic features reflected in slope and topographic conditions. The range of varying bifurcation ratios and the low Form Factor along with Circularity and Elongation Ratios strongly suggest a geologically and structurally controlled drainage system with elongated basin shape and high relief pointing towards neotectonism. A very low relief ratio of 0.008342, with entrenched meandering plain and a steep structural ridge within the basin indicates a rejuvenation of the basin with regional uplift. A very coarse graded drainage texture of 7.84 with low stream frequency of 2.5 and a drainage density of 1.877km/km 2 suggest that the area is having highly resistant permeable subsoil in a low relief terrain indicative of neogene tectonic activities. 2011 CAFET-INNOVA TECHNICAL SOCIETY. All rights reserved.