Dynamic characteristics and morphometric analysis of an active Kunhar river basin, NW Himalayas, Pakistan Khan Khalida1, Nawaz Ch2, Naeem Muhammad3 1Centre for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, Email:cimrpu@yahoo.com 2College of Earth & Environmental Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan 3ACRC, PCSIR, Lahore, Email: chmnaeem32@yahoo.com Online published on 24 March, 2014. Abstract Kunhar River basin constitutes 154 km northeast to southwest Kaghan Valley (KV) as a part of western terrain of the Nanga Parbat is the most tectonically active orogen. Due to tectonic activity of the Nanga Parbat, KV remains under its persistent influence; its eastern side continuous tilted to make a high ridge, the snowy peaks and lakes, while western side gets depressed relatively. Due to tectonics, the compressional forces produced serve folding and active thrusts in NEE to SSW direction. Kunhar River is a point of unique significance as its future behavior may take a different pattern depending on changing morphology of the area. Identification of streams order 2 signatures the testimony of lithologic and structural control, knick points, non symmetrical longitudinal profile, high value of sinuosity ratio, and orientation of lineament pattern describes an implication of Cymatogenic uplift for drainage basin configuration. An uncertain event of tectonic movement during Neogene's, a sign of vertical hosting by regional compression is discussed. Kunhar River drains into the Mangla Dam, the second energy producing facility in Pakistan. A detailed morphometric analysis have been undertaken to predict future behavior of Kunhar River so that sustainable evaluation, monitoring and development measures can be taken. Top Keywords Morphometric analysis, Drainage basins, changing morphology, Image processing, Quantitative analysis, Cymatogenic uplift. Top |