Morphometric analysis as a tool for interpretation of tectonic activity: Spišská Magura and Tatry Mts., Western Carpathians

Abstract

Morphometric analysis is frequently used for the assessment of neotectonic/young tectonic movements. The analysis consists of several methods that, in some cases, may yield different results. We used six morphometric methods to evaluate 42 river/creek catchment areas comprising the Spišská Magura region and adjacent parts of the Belianske Tatry Mts. Each method evaluated the possible influence of tectonics on topography numerically (by parameters). The integration of the mean parameter values was used to obtain the relative tectonic activity index (Iat), based on which we determined the role of the tectonic activity in the evolution of each analyzed catchment area. A comparison of the integrated map of relative tectonic activity with the known tectonic lines shows the little match in the Spišská Magura region. This is especially valid for the areas along with a striking Subtatric-Ružbachy fault system (SRFS) that is assumed to be active in the late Pleistocene and where morphometric criteria only show little tectonic activity. In contrast, the parameters provided by some individual methods used for the integrated map of the relative tectonic activity indicate a good match with known tectonic lines. For example, the basin shape ratio and mountain front sinuosity suggest high tectonic activity along the border of the Spišská Magura region and the Pieniny Klippen Belt, which is also indicated in geological maps. The evaluation of U- versus V-shaped valleys (Vf index) shows more intensive uplift of the areas of the Belianske Tatry Mts. compared to the areas within the Spišská Magura region, which is also expected from the geological maps and other studies. The evaluation of individual morphometric parameters and the parameter obtained by their integration implies the necessity to use several morphometric methods for a more reliable assessment of the role of tectonics in the evolution of studied areas.