Geomorphological mapping of the Mazi-Oinoe area, northwest Attica, Greece

Περίληψη

The Mazi basin (also called the Mazi Plain or Oinoe), located in the northwestern part of the prefecture of Attica, is complex terrain comprised of a wide range of landforms, due to various geomorphological processes. This paper presents the initial results and mapping of a study that aims to understand the natural processes which have contributed to the formation of its landscape. This research is conducted in collaborations with a wider program of research, the Mazi Archaeological Project, which aims to investigate human-environmental interaction in the very long term. The Mazi basin is included in the topographic maps of the Hellenic Military Geographical Service scaled 1:5.000 and in the geological maps of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, scaled 1:50.000 (map sheets "Erythrai"-"Elefsis"). These maps constitute the primary data for the geomorphological mapping, which is supplemented by the vailable Orthophoto maps of the National Cadastral Survey, Google Earth imagery, and extensive field work. Thematic layers for the topography, hydrography and geology were constructed using GIS. A precise Digital Elevation Model was used for creating slope and aspect maps. Slopes and lithology were subsequently classified into categories, which were combined in order to render detection criteria of landforms. Finally, with the appropriate combination of colors and symbols, the geomorphological map of the study area was produced.