Morphotectonic and its impact on the changes in bed and pattern

Rivers are unstable environments affected by natural or human factors in changing their directions and patterns. In this study, the tectonic effects on the pattern of the Gharasou River in the north of Kermanshah city have been studied. Aerial photos (years 1955 & 1990), satellite images (ETM, year 2000) and topographic as well as geologic maps were used as research tools. The procedure of the research was on the basis of reviewing changes in the pattern of the bed of the Gharasou River over a period of 45 years and the probable relationship between such variations and the Gharasou fault. The Data were analyzed by means of the Arc GIS and Global Mapper software. As the Gharasou fault is consistent with the river bed, the results show that the pattern of the river has been influenced by the fault.