GEOMORPHOLOGICAL TENSION OF THE CENTRAL ANDES
https://doi.org/10.15356/0435-4281-2015-2-77-88
Abstract
Mapping and regional analysis of the "geomorphological tension" were made for the territory of the central fragment of the continental margin mountain system of the Andes (latitude between 5°S – 19°S). We determine the geomorphological tension as a susceptibility of the territory to the development of catastrophic processes. According to the regional level of generalization tension was evaluated in ordinal scores. Assessment was based on the analysis of seismicity, amount of precipitation, the depth of the relief dissection, and the spectrum of the dominant geomorphic processes.
On the base of the results of mapping on the scale of 1:8 million it was determined that zone of maximum geomorphological tension is situated at the Western megaslope of the Peruvian Andes between latitudes 9°S and 13°30’S and in the band width of 100 km from the Pacific coast. Its value here reaches 15-16 scores due to natural causes. The tension on the Eastern megaslope of the Andes ranges from 9 to 12 points, except for some areas where it rises to 13-14, and for the Altiplano where it decrease to 6-10 points. An important feature of the study area is the asymmetric distribution of geomorphological processes and the geomorphological tension, which differ significantly at the oceanic and the inland slopes of the mountain range.
Comparison of data obtained for the two segments (NW and SE) of the circum pacific mountain belt allows concluding about the existence of its geomorphological tension general regularities. The areas of potential catastrophic processes are located near the margin of the continent in either case.
About the Authors
E. V. LebedevaRussian Federation
Laboratory of geomorphology
D. V. Mikhalev
Russian Federation
Geographical Department
S. V. Shvarev
Russian Federation
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Review
For citations:
Lebedeva E.V., Mikhalev D.V., Shvarev S.V. GEOMORPHOLOGICAL TENSION OF THE CENTRAL ANDES. Geomorfologiya. 2015;(2):77-88. https://doi.org/10.15356/0435-4281-2015-2-77-88
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