Monitoring geomorphologic changes using Landsat TM and ETM+ data in the Hendijan River delta, southwest Iran

Abstract

Beach and delta areas are dynamic physical features with changes occurring at many spatial and temporal scales due to both general and catastrophic events. Geomorphic changes such as temporal and periodic changes in riverbeds and coasts are common events in all deltaic areas. The Hendijan river basin is located in the southwest of Iran, close to the city of the Hendijan and many villages and rural settlements. Changes in various geomorphic features, such as riverbed and shoreline migration, Sebkhas, alluvial terraces, meanders and old, dry rivers over 48 years of time, were detected and identified using Landsat TM and ETM satellite data and topographic maps. Simple bands subtraction, principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy logic were used to identify regions that have undergone land cover change. Results of this study show that the Hendijan River channel has migrated several times over the last 48 years. Several meanders and ox‐bow lakes remain as a result of migration. The shoreline has migrated over 4 km into the Persian Gulf. The resulting maps can be used in an integrated coastal zone information system as it has been proposed for the Heddijan delta.

Acknowledgements

This research work was supported by the Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran. Our thanks also go to the Department of Geography, University of Leicester for providing space, computer and image processing facilities.