Geomorphometric Analysis of Karst Terrains

Abstract

The availability of high-resolution digital elevation models (DEM) has increased the possibilities of geomorphometric analysis of karst terrains. Apart from the classical terrain parameters (distribution of elevations, slopes, orientations, curvature, etc.), there have been developments of new algorithms that expand further the possibilities of numerical terrain analysis. We present the analysis of the three main features of the karst landscape: the topographic surface, karst hills and karst depressions. Karst depressions and karst hills have been identified and delineated using the DEM and field work. We have developed a system of spatial kernel functions that allows to analyze both the relief and karst depressions and hills. The results will be compared with the main conditioning factors in the development of a karst landscape: geology (lithology and structure) and the system of discontinuities and fractures (faults, joints, etc.). We apply the methodology to the Sierra de las Nieves karst massif, and we conclude how a strong structural control has modeled the landscape.