Geomorphometric Features of Thrace Peninsula

Geomorphometry is an analytical-cartographic approach that tries to explain the features concerning the topography of earth through mathematical and statistical methods by various measurements. Gaining importance in recent years because of increased technical facilities and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) techniques becoming widespread in earth sciences, this approach has a more practical application thanks to DEM (Digital Elevation Model), providing the digital presentation of topography. In this way, concrete findings are reached; quality and sound results are obtained; and analytical interpretations can be made. The purpose of this study is to outline the geomorphometric features of the Thracian Peninsula from a more elaborated and new perspective. The study makes important contributions to understanding both the geomorphologic features of Europe and Turkey and the geomorphologic formation and development of the Thracian Peninsula. Within the scope of the study, main morphometric analyses including elevation, slope, incision level, hypsometric curve, and integral were made, and index calculations fit for the purpose were carried out to understand the topography of the area. Such analyses were conducted by use of 5 m resolution DEM based on GIS techniques. DEM, used for the said purpose, is the highest resolution dataset used so far in geomorphometric studies, especially in those conducted in Turkey. The analysis results obtained in the study were checked with field surveys conducted in the areas where they were considered necessary. According to the geomorphometric analysis results, the Thracian Peninsula, where rise is 1031 m, has smooth and close to smooth topographic features with an average elevation of 155.68 m and an average slope of 3.7%. In addition, topographic conditions, leading to the existence of a concave hypsometric curve, have a mature character with a hypsometric integral value of 0.15. These findings show that the Thracian Peninsula is quite different from Turkey as a whole and the Anatolian Peninsula in terms of geomorphometric features