Evidence of Active Tectonic Deformation in Kishtwar Area, Jammu and Kashmir, Northwest Himalaya, India

Abstract

Based on the interpretation of satellite data and fieldwork in Kishtwar and surrounding area some geomorphic signatures of active tectonics which include uplifted river terraces, palaeochannels and their causative faults have been identified. The technique used in this study to delineate these geomorphic features includes the generation of digital elevation model (DEM), hillshaded images and anaglyphs from high resolution satellite data Cartosat-1. The anaglyphs and hill-shaded images helped to identify the fault scarp and palaeochannel of Chenab river. The ground truth further confirmed the displacement in the Quaternary river terraces lying along these faults. The presence of Quaternary fluvial sediments throughout the palaeochannel of Chenab river and the presence of wind-gap further confirmed that the river was once flowing from this area and shifted toward west in the recent geological past. Based on the geological evidences the present study leads to identification of a N-S striking fault which is represented by a >10 km fault scarp where the fluvial and lacustrine sediments are uplifted upto an elevation of 350–400 m from present river bed and another E-W striking fault that caused upliftment in river terraces and shifting of the river channel. These faults show clear evidence of active tectonics indicated by the displacement and deformation in the river terraces. Beside the geomorphological and geological evidences the seismic data of last three years obtained from the seismic observatories installed in this area ascertained the active nature of this area.