SRTM-based morphotectonic analysis of the Poços de Caldas Alkaline Massif, southeastern Brazil

An evaluation of SRTM 03″ data applicability in geomorphology and morphotectonic analysis is proposed, considering the morphometric parameters slope, aspect, surface roughness and isobase surface. The study area, in southeastern Brazil, comprises the Poços de Caldas Alkaline Massif, a 33 km-diameter Late Cretaceous collapsed volcanic caldera. Morphometric indices evaluated showed the correlation of landscape within the massif with NE–SW and NW–SE structures, as well as landforms related with recent tectonic influence. DEM-derived drainage presented satisfactory results when compared to a 1:50,000 topographic map. SRTM 03″ proved to be a good resource for geomorphological analysis, up to the semi-detail scale.