GIS-based geomorphological analysis of Dewana basin, Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan, Iraq

Abstract EN

An integrated remote sensing data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were applied in geomorphological study of Dewana drainage basin, Sulaimaniyah Governorate, northeastern Iraq.

The basin is considered as a good example of small scale drainage basins of a mountainous terrain with variable geomorphological processes and landscapes.

Major basin divides are recognized by the homoclinal ridge of Baranan Mountain to the northeast and Sagerma Mountain to the southwest.

Satellite images as well as Digital Elevation Model with topographic, geologic, and structural maps were used in addition to field investigations to perform a geomorphological analysis, classification, and mapping.

Arc GIS 9.3 was used to digitize, measure and draw the spatial data of this analyses.

General geomorphic mapping and classification of the basin's landforms using genetic origin; as a base for the grouping show that it includes five major groups or units.

These units are: Structural origin, Denudational origin, Structural-Denudational origin, Fluvial origin, and Anthropogenic origin.

Each of these five units includes related different subunits which were mapped on a 1: 150, 000 scale map to show special distribution and relation between the different landforms.

Discussion of the five units and their subunits were made in term of their relation to geology, topography, drainage network as well as originating geomorphic process.

The fluvial process is the most effective one, which generates most of the recent and pronounced landform groups such as: dry valley deposits, flood plain, valley fills, river terraces, alluvial fans, galleys, badlands.

Other important processes are mass wasting activities.