Evolution of modern river systems: an assessment of ‘landscape memory’ in Indian river systems

Abstract

Every river basin is characterised by an evolutionary history, which may be analysed at different time scales. This study provides a geological and geomorphic history of different river basins of India at different time scales ranging from millions of years to millennial time scales. The river basins in India are divided into six different groups on the basis of different tectono-climatic settings and geomorphic characteristics. The evolutionary trajectories in the past strongly govern the modern day geomorphic characteristics and processes in a river basin. The basin scale data compiled in this paper highlights the role of geological inheritance and ‘landscape memory’ in the evolution of river systems of India.