Abstract
TThis article summarizes an investigation into the likely role of landsliding in the formation of knickpoints along the Indus River in northern Pakistan. The knickpoints and their related geomorphic parameters (channel profile, concavity, drainage area, steepness index, etc.) were extracted from ASTER Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with 30m resolution using ArcGIS, and Matlab software. A total of 251 knickpoints were extracted from the longitudinal profile of the Indus River along a ~750km long reach upstream of Tarbela dam. The identified knickpoint locations, along with their respective normalized steepness index (ksn values), were compared with the lithologic contacts, mapped faults, a regional level landslide inventory, and the locations of prehistoric rockslides. The knickpoints identified adjacent to the prehistoric landslide dams (i.e. Katzarah and Gol-Ghone events, and Lichar Gah etc.), exhibited normalized steepness index (Ksn) in the range of 500-1800m0.9 at various locations along the river channel. The highest normalized ksn values (>1800m0.9) were observed in the tectonically-active Nanga Perbat Haramosh Massif (NPHM) region, where the river flows through narrow gorges, and/or where active thrust faults cross the river channel. The study reveals that the landslide dams appear to be one of the significant trigger factors in the formation of knickpoints along the Indus River.
Published Version
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