The methodological
steps to follow in palaeoflood studies include:
(1) initial interpretation of aerial photos and topographic
maps of various scales to identify suitable
sites (Baker, 1987) for palaeoflood hydrological
research; (2) field study and survey for the identification
and selection of flood indicators (flood deposits
and marks); (3) stratigraphical description with
emphasis on identifying the number of flood units in
a given sedimentary sequence; (4) sample collection
for age dating of the flood deposits; (5) topographic
survey of flood sites and river reaches; (6) hydraulic
calculations and discharge estimation; (7) comparison
with available historical and instrumental flood data;
and (8) flood frequency analysis. In the following
sections a summary is presented of the main
components of palaeoflood research.