MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS APPLIED TO TECTONIC-EROSIVE ANALYSIS IN WATERSHEDS

Abstract

The spatial area of watershed is of utmost importance for understanding the evolutionary landscape. The use of calculation of morphometric parameters that seek to gather evidence about the evolutionary mechanism of this evolutional geomorphologic unit, comes since the 1950s, has been used since applied in these studies. The identification of asymmetric basins and analysis of rivers longitudinal and transverse profiles subside the investigation of tectonic control in evolutionary history, as well as the understanding of the current and past geomorphological processes. Analising the profiles geometric shape in association with the gradiente (or ratio Slope Extension - RDE), has proven to be a useful methodological practice in recognition of anomalies in the concave conformation of the a river longitudinal profile. In this analysis the use of geotechnologies facilitates and speeds up investigations, supporting better the spatial information produced and therefore aiding in understanding the evolutionary mechanisms interpreted through morphometric parameters used, as well as to trace relations with imprint information geological-geomorphological and thus support the recognition of basins that have different degrees of control lithologic and/or structural, and gather basic interpretations of possible (re)fluvial adjustments, characterizing distinct morphodynamic processes in watersheds.