Geomorphometric mapping of Asia Minor from GLOBE digital elevation model

The paper focuses on the characterization of the Earth's relief in Asia Minor based upon a regional-scale GLOBE digital elevation model representation. At first, general geomorphometric parameters and frequency distributions are computed and the resulting descriptive statistics are studied in an attempt to characterize the landscape. The mountain terrain class was identified from the digital elevation model by a region-growing segmentation procedure and 702 distinct mountain features were extracted. The mountains were parametrically represented on the basis of the local relief mean gradient, mean elevation, and hypsometric integral. The statistical modelling indicated clusters of mountain features that are spatially arranged in specific zones providing a framework for comparing regions located in different tectonic regimes and subdividing the landscape of Asia Minor into regions with different geomorphometric behaviour. Finally, the classification of mountains identified that the highest in gradient, the biggest in size and the most complex ones are spatially arranged in the east along a northern and a southern branch. In between the branches a transition zone is developed that contains a minor peneplain (east plateau) and a major peneplain (central Anatolia) occupied by more dissected and eroded mountains oriented in a SE to NW direction.