Investigation of Tectonic Properties of Devrez River Valley via Morphometric Indices

The study area along the southeast of the West Black Sea Region in Turkey is approximately 140 kilometers long that called by Devrez River Valley. Study area is located on the tectonically active region. Study area was initiated during the Neogene in the context of continental collision between Arabia and Eurasia. North border of study area is over the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). Actually, all the study area is affected and formed by primary and secondary faults. This study investigated the tectonic properties of Devrez River bottom Valley with selected morphometric indices. In this paper, morphometric indices and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are used in together. Indices used include: hypsometric curve, hypsometric integral (Hi), stream length – gradient index (SL), drainage basin asymmetry (AF) and ratio of valley – floor width to valley height (Vf). The necessary maps, layers and calculations of indicates were produced with ArcGIS 10.0 and Arc Hydro Tools 2.0. Results of this study can be divided into three groups. (I) Selected indices and their classification have been shown significant and compatible results. (II) Kırsakal and Tosya sub‐basins have the highest value of valley evolution depending on young tectonic activity. (III) The valley has been greatly developed under fault control.