Introduction:

Geomorphology is part of the broad range of disciplines that fall under the general heading of earth
sciences, which includes both geology and geography1. Landscape development is one of the core
component of physical geography. Although the methodology and representation of much spatial
data has a long history (e.g. accurate geomorphological maps date back to William Smith’s first map
of the United Kingdom in 18152).

Geomorphological Maps are one of the most appropriate and synthetic ways of showing the spatial
distribution of landforms, surface and near-surface deposits, processes that act on landforms and the
time of the action of these processes. Geomorphological Mapping is a great tool for better analysis
and understanding of landscape development.

Geomorphological mapping is an important tool for professionals dealing with the landscape and
landforms, engineers, urban planners, soils, forests scientists, land conservationists, risk managers,
etc.

Surface fabric Analysis is a description of the three-dimensional disposition of the individual grains
and pebbles which make up a deposit. It can be measured in two ways: firstly, by reference to the
orientation or trend of the sedimentary particles; and second, by analysis of their dip or plunge.

Analysis of sediment fabric often reveals that the particles are not aligned randomly, but have a
preferred orientation or dip. These preferred dispositions are dependent upon many interacting
processes and properties, but they are frequently assumed to relate to two important aspects of the
deposit: its depositional environment and its direction of transport.

Both these exercises are important tool for any geomorphologist have an idea about the landforms of
an area, helps him in easy identifying of them and surface fabric analysis help getting information
about slope stability and its orientation and predicting the landslides.

Study Area:

Budhil is a tributary of Ravi River starts off from the Lahul Range and is fed by the Lahul Range and
is fed by the glaciers of Manimahesh Kailash Peak and Manimahesh Lake. it sourced from the
Manimahesh Kailash Peak and the Manimahesh Lake, at an elevation of 4080 metres and is a Hindu
Pilgrimage site. The entire length of Budhil is 72 kilometres where it has a bed slope of 59.5m/km. it
flows through the ancient capital of Bharmwar, now known as Bharmour in Himachal Pradesh.
Methodology:
Different methods, data types and data sources have been chosen to complete different exercises. For
Geomorphic mapping the methods and data sources used are as follows:
Data source:

Our major data sources for geomorphic mapping and fabric analysis are as follows:

1. For geomorphic mapping:

a. SRTM 30m DEM tiff file

1
Smith M.J., Paron P. and Griffiths J.S., Volume 15, (2011)
2
Winchester, 2001
 b. Google earth .Kml file

Software used:

a. Arcgis for creating maps from DEM files

b. Google earth to create base map polygon

Methodology:

In the process of showing different geomorphic characteristics of study area we performed following
exercises:

1. Export the polygon .KML file into layer file by the help of conversion tool in arcmap 10.5
2. After that we used, Extract by mass tool to extract the study area from the DEM file by the
help of Layer file which we had created in the previous stage.
3. The we used Aspect, Hill Shade, Contour, and Slope (percentage) in the spatial analysist tool
section to create maps of all these types to show the general relief feature in the study area.

For Hill Shade:

For contour
For aspect:

The aspect of terrain refers to the direction it’s facing and is computed in degrees from due north.
Aspect relates to amount of sun exposure, in the northern hemisphere a north-facing slope faces away
from the sun and therefore is generally cooler and wetter than a south-facing slope. The aspect of a
slope can make very significant influences on its micro-climate and vegetation. Give this influence on
vegetation, aspect is frequently used in raster analysis. Aspect is always given as a direction in degrees.

Aspect is computed in a similar way to slope in that a plane is fit through a 3x# grid of pixels. However
it’s the direction of the plane that is used for the pixel value instead of the slope.

For Slope:

Slope is the measure of steepness or the degree of inclination of a feature. Slope is typically expressed
as a percentage or as an angle. Percent Slope = change in elevation/Distance. This is also known as
“rise over run”. Degrees = angle of the slope from a line that is parallel with the earth. Slope raster
can be computed from DEMs. Typically, slop is computed using a 3x# matrix of pixels around the target
pixel. A plane is fit through these pixels and then the maximum slope of the plane is used as the slope
value. Slope is commonly used in raster analysis.

For Surface fabric Analysis following methods, data types, techniques and instruments are used:
Data collected for Surface fabric analysis is based on primary field survey, which is collected by the
help of Compass and measuring tape. While it’s been processed by the help of Sterenot software which
is used for the analysis part.
First of all in order to describe the orientation of a rock, two values must be specified:
i) The orientation of the longest dimension (long axis) of the rock in the horizontal plane,
referred to as the trend; and
ii) The orientation of the longest dimension of the rock in the vertical plane, referred to as the
plunge.
The longest axis is commonly referred to as the a-axis, with the shorter dimensions measured at right
angles to the a-axis being referred to as the b-axis (intermediate) and c-axis (shortest).
The number of rocks should be large enough to ensure the statistical validity of the result3.
Technique for Surface fabric Analysis:
Measurement of pebbles fabric involves three separate steps: choice of sampling site; preparation of te
site and actual measurement. Although the first two steps are important in any analysis, they are
particularly significant here because the study of sediment fabric demands an undisturbed sample.
Site selection and preparation:
A site must be chosen which is little affected by extraneous influences. Unfortunately, it is frequently
impossible to find a site in which no outside interferences have occurred. Most sediments have been
affected in their upper layers by either post-depositional weathering, frost heaving or soil formation.

3
Andrews and Smith 1970; Mark 1973
It is normally advisable to prepare the site by removing the upper disturbed layers and working on
undisturbed material. Given the difficulties of defining an ideal exposure for fabric analysis, the usual
approach has been to use vertical sections. Regardless, it is necessary to clean and excavate the
exposure. The cleared face should be slowly excavated with a knife or trowel until suitable pebbles are
encountered.
Instruments:
The basic instruments used for orientation measurement is an accurate Brunton compass and measuring
tape.
Adjust the declination arrow on the compass to account for the position of the north magnetic pole
relative to the site.
Measurement technique:
1. Tentatively identify a rock with axial ratios suitable for analysis. So that a-axis (major) ca
readily identified.
2. Align the compass parallel with the long axis of the rock, simultaneously keeping the compass
level in the horizontal plane. The compass mirror should be away from you.
3. Read the orientation of the downward-pointing end of the a-axis (major) on the ring scale as
an azimuth value (e.g. 180). This value represents the trend of the rock.
4. Align the compass on its side, parallel to the rock long axis. Rotate the compass clinometer
until the bubble is centred. Read the angle that the long axis makes with the plane from the
arcuate plane. This value is the plunge of the rock.

Presentation of the Data:

Once fabric data are obtained, it may be plotted and then contoured to produce a fabric diagram.
Rock Fabrics are measured in terms of angular bearings. Where trend along has been studied, these
are in the form of two-dimensional compass readings; where a three-dimensional fabric has been
analysed (as described above0, the angle of the plunge provides the third dimension.

If these bearings are related to a common origin, they represent an azimuthal plot.

Analysis: