Identification of Temporal Shifting Trends of Submarine Indus Canyon, Pakistan

Gohar Ali Mahar, Nayyer Alam Zaigham

Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2013.55052                

Abstract

Indus Canyon is one of the most prominent sub-aqueous features of the Indus Delta. Indus River, originating from the Manasarovour Lake, hosting at the foot of high Himalayan Mountains Glaciers, forms a huge delta after travelling more than 300 km at the north eastern coastline of the Arabian Sea. In view to assess the temporal geomorphic change associated with the Indus Canyon, a study has been carried out based on the bathymetric surveyed data compiled in 1895 and satellite data compiled in 1998. The result of the study shows distinct changes in the orientation of the Indus submarine Canyon. Moreover, significant erosional activities have also been identified, associated with the Canyon channel and the channel’s walls. Canyon’s head has shifted westward rotating about 22°. In addition, the chronological study of the water flow and sediment discharge of the Indus River shows a drastic decline in the flow of river water into the Indus Delta and the sea. This phenomenon appears to modify the fluvial as well as marine dynamics of Indus River consequently affecting the Indus Canyon on a significant scale.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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