Evidence of Hierarchy in the Drainage Basins Size Distribution of Greece Derived from ASTER GDEM-v2 Data

Abstract

The drainage basins of Greece are analyzed in terms of hierarchy and discussed in view of Tsallis Entropy. This concept has been successfully used in a variety of complex systems, where fractality, memory and long-range interactions are dominant. The analysis indicates that the statistical distribution of drainage basins’ area in Greece, presents a hierarchical pattern that can be viewed within the frame of non-extensive statistical physics. Our work was based on the analysis of the ASTER GDEM v2 Digital Elevation Model of Greece, which offers a 30 m resolution, creating an accurate drainage basins’ database. Analyzing the drainage size (e.g., drainage basin area)-frequency distribution we discuss the connection of the observed power law exponents with the Tsallis entropic parameters, demonstrating the hierarchy observed in drainage areas for the set created for all over Greece and the subsets of drainages in the internal and external Hellenides that are the main tectonic structures in Greece. Furthermore, we discuss in terms of Tsallis entropy, the hierarchical patterns observed when the drainages are classified according to their relief or the Topographic Position Index (TPI). The deviation of distribution from power law for large drainages area is discussed.