Evaluation and Development of the Hypsometry Operator: A Case Study on Central Indian Drainage Basins

Hypsometry is a measure of the relative relief of a basin by relating its elevation to its area. Hypsometric Integral (HI) summarises the form of the watershed in a single value. Central India (CI) is extensively drained by Narmada, Son and Tapti River. The drainage basins for the respective rivers should ideally yield similar HI values, considering they comprise of similar lithologies and come under a uniform climatic zone. However neotectonism has caused several reactivation events resulting in uplift/subsidence on either sides of the river channel. The HI values of these sections have stood out in this case study. Such areas have been identified around Jabalpur where the uplift could be accounted to recent events such as the 1997 earthquake. In addition to this the formulae for HI has been tested for statistical validity. Based on the data from 108 CI watersheds it has been observed that the variables for the parameter (HI) are insufficient to yield the desired result. Therefore, it is imminent that the formulae be revised for better evaluation of a landscape.