Morphotectonics
Encyclopedia
Morphotectonics refers to the study of short- and long-term superficial evidences of tectonic activity. The surface expression of endogenous
mechanism driving the tectonic activity is always represented by relative movements such as uplifting
, subsidence
and translation of the crust. The most sensitive parameter is the drainage and its relationship with structures which control the courses. The continuous processes of weathering
and erosion
leads to formation of landforms manifesting the control of tectonics. Multi-sensor and multi-date remotely sensed data and advanced digital image processing techniques are extremely useful to observe and map morphotectonic features.
In areas where rate of present day tectonism is considerable, several field indications can be directly observed. However, in other cases where rate of tectonism is mild or very slow, evidences mainly comes from morphotectonic investigations, which may demarcate the areas for detailed field investigations.
Endogenous
Endogenous substances are those that originate from within an organism, tissue, or cell. Endogenous retroviruses are caused by ancient infections of germ cells in humans, mammals and other vertebrates...
mechanism driving the tectonic activity is always represented by relative movements such as uplifting
Tectonic uplift
Tectonic uplift is a geological process most often caused by plate tectonics which increases elevation. The opposite of uplift is subsidence, which results in a decrease in elevation. Uplift may be orogenic or isostatic.-Orogenic uplift:...
, subsidence
Subsidence
Subsidence is the motion of a surface as it shifts downward relative to a datum such as sea-level. The opposite of subsidence is uplift, which results in an increase in elevation...
and translation of the crust. The most sensitive parameter is the drainage and its relationship with structures which control the courses. The continuous processes of weathering
Weathering
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters...
and erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
leads to formation of landforms manifesting the control of tectonics. Multi-sensor and multi-date remotely sensed data and advanced digital image processing techniques are extremely useful to observe and map morphotectonic features.
In areas where rate of present day tectonism is considerable, several field indications can be directly observed. However, in other cases where rate of tectonism is mild or very slow, evidences mainly comes from morphotectonic investigations, which may demarcate the areas for detailed field investigations.