Remote Sensing Analysis of Crustal Deformation using River Networks

In this paper we show that a quantitative analysis of remote sensing data allows the localization of active deformation and the quantification of strain intensity and kinematics. As tectonics controls topography, which in turn constrains river patterns, the procedure is based on the calculation of nonlinear morphometric parameters describing the disequilibrium of rivers. Thus the meandricity and the dendricity of rivers are estimated by fractal analysis. Structural control on river paths is quantified by correlation and covariance analyses. Terrain uplifts are quantified by stream power approach. These parameters are a valuable addition to existing methods especially when in situ measurements are scarce.