Geomorphology of the Karak Plateau using RS & GIS Menu

Mark Green

Outline: Geomorphology of the Karak Plateau Using Remote Sensing and GIS

1. Introduction

   1. Definitions

      1. Geomorphology – The study of landforms and the processes that formed them.

      2. GIS/Geographic Information Systems - A computer system for storing and manipulating data with a spatial component.

      3. Remote Sensing - The science of obtaining information about an object by a device that is not in contact with the object.

   2. Importance of Geomorphology

      1. Landscapes and their associated landforms are the product of a variety of forces (e.g., wind, rain and tectonic).

      2. The study of landforms and the processes that formed them provide clues to reconstructing past environments and predicting future changes.

   3. The Role of Geomorphology on the Karak Plateau

      1. Plateau widely settled in ancient times.

      2. Landforms may have played an important role in Plateau settlement decisions due to conditions that were often harsh (e.g., storage of water, access to building resources, access to arable land).

2. Geomorphology of the Plateau

   1. Fluvial and tectonic processes dominate.

   2. Formed by uplift and displacement of plates along Dead Sea Rift.

   3. Faulting plays an active role in Plateau drainage.

   4. Alluvial fans common even on arid/semi-arid Plateau.

3. Role of Remote Sensing and GIS in Geomorphological Studies

   1. Many landforms too large to see or appreciate from the ground.

   2. Multiple processes and landforms can be integrated into a single GIS.

   3. Other data (e.g., ancient site locations and modern roads) can be added to satellite and geomorphic data in a GIS.

Last Updated on 07/13/2003 02:49 PM