Identification of Deep Tectonic Structures of the Pho Lu area, northwestern Vietnam using Digital Elevation Model and Earth focal mechanism

Abstract

The digital elevation model and the earthquake focal mechanism are utilized to define the geological structure of the Pho Lu area, northwestern Vietnam. The results allow the identification of lineaments and recognition of the correlation between the lineaments and geological structures directed in the study area. The digital elevation model (DEM) was used in the methodology of interpretation trends of lineaments derived from various enhancing techniques to show that the most lineament trend in the NW‒ SE direction. Further more, the interpreted lineament map demonstrates the NW‒SE system is correlated with the Red River fault zone, which is interpreted as a positive flower structure combined with the focal mechanism of earthquake. The results also demonstrate the capacity to used the digital elevation model and focal mechanism of the earthquake to identify deep geological structures.