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IMPACT OF TECTONICS ON RIVERS TERRACES GEOMORPHOLOGY, IN ALBANIA
Abstract
We analyze the impact of tectonics on the geomorphology of the rivers valleys, in Albania. Interaction of several factors, predominantly tectonic ones, has played a major role in this respect. Tectonic, climatic and erosional factors have affected the formation of several levels of Quaternary terraces, during the Pliocene-Quaternary period, of the latest Alpine folding phase. Nine levels of terraces are evidenced so far, some of which dated based on radiocarbon 14C and cosmogenic 10Be methods. Active tectonics is well evidenced by mapped tectonic faults, striking mostly NNW-SSE to N-S, and numerous related moderate to strong earthquakes. Active faults cross the valleys of all major rivers in Albania. In the present work, the analysis is focused on Erzeni and Devolli rivers valley?s peculiarities, where the impact has been more pronounced. We make use of the previously published dating results and the focal mechanism solutions, in order to highlights the role of active tectonics on the shaping of the present geomorphological features, along both rivers valleys.
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