GIS and Hypsometry based Analysis on the Evolution of Sub-basins in Ataq Area-Shabwah, Yemen

Abstract

Hypsometric analysis of drainage basins reveals useful information to distinguish between the erosional landforms at different stages during their evolution; it gives ideas for understanding the geomorphic development of a basin. In this paper, we used SRTM data (30m resolution) to derive and analysed hypsometric data for the Ataq-Southeastern Yemen; the study area was divided into six sub-basin and hypsometric analysis was carried out for all of these sub-basins using digital contour map which was generated for every sub-basin with the helping of ArcGIS also hypsometric curve was prepared for every sub-basin; differences in hypsometric curve shape and hypsometric integral values are indicated to the degree of disequilibrium in the balance of erosive processes and tectonic forces. The result values of the hypsometric integral for all the sub-basins are ranges "between" 21.9% to 51.4%; according to these results, two stages were identified in the study area namely mature or equilibrium and old stages. The overall of the study for hypsometric analysis in this paper was to understand the erosional topography and tectonic activities in the area.