GIS and Remote Sensing Analysis of Morphometric Characteristics in Karanthaimalai Hill, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The present study integrates GIS and remote sensing technology to do a morphometric analysis of Karanthaimalai Hill in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district, India. Morphometric analysis is the measurement and quantitative study of many Earth surface features, including shape, length, height, and slope. Karanthaimalai Hill in the Natham region is mostly composed of granite and gneiss. The primary purpose of this study is to identify a wide range of morphometric parameters, including slope, contour, aspect, curvature, drainage, elevation, flow accumulation, flow direction, drainage density, dissection index, relative relief, roughness, and hill stream order. The data used in this study include Survey of India (SOI) toposheet maps and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM) satellite photos with a resolution of 30 metres. The study found that Karanthaimalai Hill has steep and highly dissected topography, with heights ranging from 300 m to 900 m. Notably, the hill provides large relative relief, particularly at the summit and middle, with moderate relief throughout. The dissection index reveals extensive erosion and stream incision, notably on the hill's southern side. The topography roughness varies greatly across the area, indicating a diverse terrain. The slope aspect is primarily orientated west and east, while the hill's curvature displays steep slopes and dips. Furthermore, the hill's drainage density represents a complex network of streams and drainage patterns. These findings have significant implications for regional land-use planning, conservation, and management strategies. However, additional research is required to understand the fundamental principles that affect the landscape and to promote sustainable land management approaches.