Lineament Map Research Articles

Lineament Geomorphologic Analysis to Identify Fault in Mount Semeru, East Java

This research analyzes the morphological lineaments on Mount Semeru, East Java. The morphological lineament is processed using satellite imagery as a digital elevation model (DEM), downloaded on the Badan Informasi Geospasial (BIG) page. The image was processed using Global Mapper software with azimuth angles of 00, 450, 900, 1800, and 3150 and produced a lineament map that had been overlaid from all azimuth angles and created a morphological lineament map with various groups of values from high to low. From the analysis that has been carried out, it was found that there are 103 lineaments, most of which are spread in the area west of the crater of Mount Semeru, with the dominant direction showing a west-southwest – east-northeast orientation.

Structural lineament analysis of the Bir El-Qash area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, using integrated remote sensing and aeromagnetic data

The Bir El-Qash area, located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, is characterized by a diverse range of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks with ages spanning from the Late Proterozoic to Quaternary. Integration of remote sensing with aeromagnetic data was conducted to generate surface and subsurface structural lineaments. Shaded relief from digital elevation models, principal component analysis of Landsat-8 data, and ALOS/PALSAR images were utilized to create lineament maps. Airborne magnetic data were employed to reveal subsurface characterizations. The study area has undergone various tectonic activities, resulting in complex structures. Multiple fault trends and fractures were identified, including the NW–SE (Red Sea-Gulf of Suez) trend, the NE–SW trending Syrian arc trend, the N–S trending East African trend and the WNW–ESE trend. By analyzing the tectonic features of the Bir El-Qash area, this study provides insights into the geological history and evolution of the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

Contribution of Landsat 8 OLI imagery to mapping of lithological series and lineaments: implications for Pb-Zn mineralization exploration in the Boudahar Massif, Eastern High Atlas, Morocco

The Boudahar massif is located in the southern part of the eastern belt of the Moroccan High Atlas and it corresponds to a reef mass of about ten kilometers in length. Jbel Boudahar is a district of lead-zinc-barite mineralization, known by a strong artisanal exploitation of its ores. This district is characterized by its topography with a contrast of altitude and an arid environment, which makes the information acquired more valuable. The processing of Landsat 8 OLI data allowed us to extract a lithological and structural map, aiming to make correlations to understand the distribution of lead-zinc mineralization. To this end, several tests were carried out, including the composition of color, principal component analysis and band ratio transformation. The location of the main deposits at Jbel Boudhar coincides well with the lineament derived from band 1 of principal component analysis and with the dolomitic pliensbachian formations mapped by MNF and BR from Landsat Oli8. A remote sensing geological prospecting model has been established for the Jbel Boudhar lead-zinc deposits, providing a basis for future prospecting of new deposits in a similar context.

Extraction, Mapping, and Analysis of Structural Lineaments using Geospatial Azimuth-Altitude Ratio Technique on a DEM of a Sub-Catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria

Lineaments have a wide range of implications and applications in geology, hydrogeology and geomorphology. The focus of this study was on structural or geological lineaments and their implication on hydrogeology and hydrogeomorphology. Hence, this study aimed at the extraction, mapping, and analysis of structural lineaments using a DEM in the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River basin. ArcGIS 10.8 was used for the geospatial technique of Azimuth-Altitude ratio (315:45, 200:50, 150:65, and 100:60) variation, manual digitization for the extraction, mapping and analysis of lineaments. The choice of manual or visual digitization was to apply expert experience to extract only structural and exclude geomorphological and pseudo lineaments. The Azimuth-Altitude ratio variation approach was to improve clarity and identification to aid the manual extraction. The lineament map generated after extraction was used to analyze for lineament density, total number, and total length. A further analysis applied the rose diagram to depict the directional orientation or trends of these lineaments. The result revealed that at various Azimuth and Altitude ratios, the features on the image become more distinguishable for extraction. At 315:45 Azimuth and Altitude ratio, the hill-shade produced revealed the major lineaments more clearly compared to other ratios but minor lineaments were undermined. Also, a total number of 343 lineaments were found in the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin with a total length of 2897.81km. The lineament density was found to range between 1km/km2 and 5km/km2. The result of the lineament statistical analysis showed that the extracted lineaments have trends in the direction of N-S, NNE-SSW, NE-SW, E-W, SE-NW, and SSE-NNW. This therefore concluded that the Adamawa sub-catchment of the Upper Benue River Basin has high lineament density and lineament extraction from DEM at various Azimuth and Altitude ratios enhances lineament extraction. The implications of the findings from the results suggest that areas with a high density of lineaments might be affected by higher structural deformation, which signifies higher groundwater infiltration potential zones and initiation of first-order drainage networks. This information is vital for water resources management in the sub-catchment.

Contribution of Aeromagnetic Data to the Structural Discontinuities Identification of Black Volta Catchment Aquifer System in Côte d'Ivoire

This paper focuses on improving the structural knowledge of the fissured aquifers of the Black Volta catchment in Côte d'Ivoire based on the mapping of magnetic lineaments, which represent magnetic discontinuities such as magmatic body contacts or tectonic faults. Four filtering methods, pole reduction (equator), gradient (vertical and hori-zontal), upward extension, and angle tilt, were applied to the residual magnetic field map to extract magnetic discontinuities while using the Oasis Montaj (Geosoft) program. Euler deconvolution coupled with the analytical signal provided, in addition to the horizontal location of the magnetic contacts, is an indication of their depths. The resulting structural map contains 458 structures, with lengths ranging from 9.03 to 66.54 km. Three directions, NW-SE, E-W and NE-SW, were detected with a predominance of the NW-SE direction. Depths estimated by Euler solutions range from 6.8 to 2847 m. This map is consistent with many faults already recognised or assumed by traditional structural studies and tectonic events affecting the Ivorian basement. These results contribute significantly to the improvement of the structural map of the Black Volta Basin in Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to the major known tectonic faults, numerous lineaments, particularly those at depth, have been highlighted by the present study.

Contribution of Remote Sensing to the Mapping of Lineaments and Ore-Mineral Occurrences in the Taghbalt Region, Moroccan Eastern Anti-Atlas

The Taghbalet region is a part of the Paleozoic cover of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, known by a rich mineral potential of vein type. This paper presents the results of a field investigation and processing of Landsat 8oli and Aster satellite images. The pre-processing allows for improving the image quality by applying a radiometric calibration, atmosphere correction and a pan-sharpening correction. Landsat-8 oli data is used to map structural lineaments including fracture and/or vein. C compositions ( RGB: 2, 5 and 7) and band ratios (5/7, 3/1, 4/3 and 5/7, 5/4, 3/1) were applied, both of which showed the lithological contrast between formations. Then directional filters (N-S, NE-SW, E-W and NW-SE) were applied on the spectral bands and principal component analysis to map the different lineaments. Validation and correction of lineaments obtained by automatic extraction are based on visual interpretation and field verification. The mining prospecting is performed using ASTER multispectral images. Therefore the results obtained show that we have two main directions; one E-W and the other NE-SW. The majority of these lineaments are concentrated in the south of the area. The results of mapping the hydrothermal alteration zones show us that these zones have a clear relationship with the fault.

Mapping of the Structural Lineaments and Sedimentary Basement Relief Using Gravity Data to Guide Mineral Exploration in the Denizli Basin

The Aegean Graben System is a complex tectonic structure in Western Anatolia and the Denizli Graben is a member of this system that hosts many geothermal springs, ore deposits, and travertine areas. In this study, the gravity data were analyzed to determine the subsurface geological structures and the depth model of the basin. The Bouguer gravity anomaly has a NW–SE pattern that is consistent with the general trend of the Denizli Basin. The pre-Neogene basement depths range from 0.1 km to 2.3 km. The Denizli Basin is composed of the Çürüksu Basin and the Laodikia sub-basin. The basins have undulated structures with many depressions; the deepest depression region is in the northern part of the Çürüksu Basin, which is close to the Pamukkale Fault Zone. In addition, the new gravity lineament map was obtained by using new-generation edge detection techniques: the tilt angle of the horizontal gradient amplitude (TAHG), and fast sigmoid-edge detection (FSED) of gravity data. The new proposed lineament map shows that the Denizli Basin has complex structures consisting of NW–SE, E–W, and NE–SE trending lineaments, and the major NW–SE trending faults and NE–SW trending lineaments control the main structural configuration. The uplifts and depressions in the basin deposit and the intersection area of lineaments are promising prospective areas for mineral deposits and have energy resource potential.

Mapping and analysis of structural lineaments using Landsat 8-OLI images and multivariate statistical methods in Tarfaya coastal basin, Southwest Morocco

Mapping and analysis of structural lineaments using Landsat 8-OLI images and multivariate statistical methods in Tarfaya coastal basin, Southwest Morocco

Mapping and Assessment of Geological Lineaments with the Contribution of Earth Observation Data: A Case Study of the Zaer Granite Massif, Western Moroccan Meseta

The Zaer granitic massif is one of the most important Variscan granitoids in the Central Zone of the Western Moroccan Meseta. It is characterized by a deformation which is manifested by a network of fractures of different scales. Thanks to the technology currently available, many geological studies rely heavily on the mapping of geological lineaments, especially in structural geology. This has become more reliable with access to earth observation data using optical and radar sensors as well as the various remote sensing techniques. Therefore, the objective of this work is to determine the potential of Landsat 8, ASTER, Sentinel 2 and radar Sentinel 1 datasets using the automatic method to extract lineaments. Furthermore, this work focuses on quantitative lineament analysis to determine lineament trends and subsequently compare them with global and regional tectonic movement trends. The lineaments obtained through different satellite images were validated by including the shaded relief maps, the slope map, the correlation with the pre-existing faults in the geological maps as well as the field investigation. Comparison of these results indicates that Sentinel 1 imagery provides a better correlation between automated extraction lineaments and major fault zones. Thus, Sentinel 1 data is more effective in mapping geological lineaments. The final lineament map obtained from the VH and VV polarizations shows two major fault systems, mainly oriented NE-SW and NW-SE to NNW-SSE.

Fracturing and Groundwater Productivity Linkages in the Koumfab Watershed in Northern Togo

The Koumfab watershed, located in the Dapaong region of northern Togo, overlies the sandstone-pelite formations of the lower megasequence of the Volta Basin and the granito-migmatitic bedrock of the south-eastern edge of the West African Craton. All of these Precambrian formations have a dense network of lineaments or fractures, giving them the characteristics of discontinuous and highly exploited aquifers. The lineament map of the Koumfab watershed, obtained from aerial photographs and the digital terrain model, identifies three main families of fractures running N-S to NE-SW (N0° to N40°), NE-SW to ESE-WNW (N60° to N110°) and ESE-WNW to SE-NW (N120° to N180°). Analysis of the correlation between lineaments and borehole flow rates has enabled us to identify areas with high storage potential. This potential is mainly controlled by lithological and lineament parameters. Boreholes drilled along kilometre-long lineaments underlain by crystalline and sandstone formations are more productive, with generally high flow rates (Q > 5m3/h). The basement formations found throughout the Koumfab catchment are major reservoirs with hydrogeological potential that are already in great demand.

LineaMapper: A deep learning-powered tool for mapping linear surface features on Europa

As discontinuities of the smooth icy surface, linear surface features might be directly or indirectly linked to Europa’s subsurface ocean. Mapping and categorising Europa’s lineaments is a means of retrieving information that could be linked to their formation history. As of today, planetary mapping is mainly conducted manually, which is tedious and subject to human bias once data sets become large. Mapping is further complicated by the heterogeneous quality and coverage of the available image data.Here, we train LineaMapper, a convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN), to conduct instance segmentation of the four main units of linear surface features on Europa: bands, double ridges, ridge complexes and undifferentiated lineae. LineaMapper is trained on the basis of 15 mosaics from the Galileo solid-state imager data, yielding 930 training tiles. With LineaMapper, we provide a new method that facilitates detailed mapping of lineaments in Galileo images. LineaMapper could be applied to data to be returned by the Europa Imaging System (EIS) onboard the Europa Clipper mission. We validate LineaMapper v1.0 on an independent test set. On this test set, LineaMapper shows an overall higher precision than recall. In other words, there are more non-detections of actual lineaments than there are false detections of lineaments. The model shows the most correct predictions for double ridges (highest precision), while the most complete detections happen for ridge complexes (highest recall), compared with the ground truth. In some cases, LineaMapper preserves the cross-cutting relationships. The biggest strength of LineaMapper lies in its speed and tunable output. In the future, LineaMapper can be retrained, fine tuned and applied to similar looking features, for example wrinkle ridges on Venus, ridges on other planets and moons or even dust devil tracks on Mars.

A newly-developed multi-algorithm integration technique for mapping the potentially mineralized alteration zones

The present work introduces a newly-developed mathematical-based Multi-Algorithm Integration (MAI) technique, GIS weighted overlay model, and field investigations for delineating the potentially mineralized alteration zones. The introduced technique was tested on Semna area in Egypt as a case study. Three different algorithms were utilized to map the abundance of six alteration indicator minerals. The introduced MAI technique enabled combining the outputs of the utilized mapping algorithms allowing the delineation of only the localities that were successfully mapped as the potential for alteration zones occurrence by all the three algorithms together. Localities delineated by only one or even two techniques are not included in the output of the MAI technique, giving rise to a higher accuracy than that of individual techniques. The structural linear features were automatically depicted from a hill-shade image generated from a high-accuracy Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A Geographic Information System (GIS) Weighted Overlay Model (WOM) was then implemented to integrate the alteration maps resulting from the MAI technique with the density map of lineaments. A final hydrothermal-related mineralization potentiality map was obtained and validated through fieldwork and spectral analyses for confirming the occurrence of alteration indicator minerals. Samples were collected from the delineated potentially mineralized localities. The spectral signatures of the collected samples were measured, and spectral analyses were performed to reveal the identity of the existing alteration minerals. Various index alteration minerals were recorded in the measured samples including; kaolinite, montmorillonite, sericite, chlorite, carbonates (dolomite), and iron oxides/hydroxide minerals.

Mapping of Lineaments in North West Part of Gavilgarh Fault, Amravati District of Maharashtra Using SRTM DEM and Satellite image

Mapping of Lineaments in North West Part of Gavilgarh Fault, Amravati District of Maharashtra Using SRTM DEM and Satellite image

Implementation of space imageries, remote sensing and GIS techniques in the geological and geomorphological analysis of Wadi Fatima drainage basin, Saudi Arabia

This research aims to apply various digital image processing methods of satellite imageries and remote sensing techniques in the geological and geomorphological analysis of Wadi Fatima area, Saudi Arabia. This area includes a sequence of volcano-sedimentary rocks of Arabian Shield and it is characterized by diagnostic drainage lines. Landsat-7 images and digital elevation model (DEM) in a 30 m resolution data have been used in this work. These data were also used in the geological interpretations, extracting morphometric parameters, and geomorphological analysis of Wadi Fatima drainage basin.The geological map of Wadi Fatima drainage basin was constructed and interpreted from the processed Landsat ETM + space imageries. The structural lineaments map of Wadi Fatima drainage basin was extracted from the digital data of panchromatic Landsat ETM + band. The geomorphological analysis identified, delineated and gave the main geomorphic characteristics of Wadi Fatima drainage basin. The statistical analysis of structural lineaments and the stream orders of Wadi Fatima basin showing that the main directional trends of both have a common trend in the directions of NE-SW, N-S & E-W. This means that the main wadies of Wadi Fatima drainage basin are structurally controlled and follow up the main faults and shear zones in the area. This study results in accurate delineation and constructive detailed geological and geomorphological aspect maps of Wadi Fatima basin. Wadi Fatima basin is less dangerous due to its rectangular shape than the circular shape, because the top of the flood reaches after a long time.

Geophysical Evaluation of Agricultural Potential of Orlu and Environs Using Landsat Imagery

The scarcity of food afflicting third-world countries, particularly Nigeria, case study Orlu zone, Imo State, Nigeria, is intolerable, given the high rate of environmental degradation in the form of erosions, nation’s poor economic state, insecurity, and extremely low per capita income of citizens, motivated this research. This research is tailored to a possible approach to combating the threat of food insecurity via geophysical investigation of agricultural potential areas and as well help in managing food insecurity ravaging the area, particularly in this post-COVID lockdown era. In this research, a geophysical approach—Landsat imagery and interpretation—was used to identify areas with high agricultural yielding potentials and how to exploit them for bumper agricultural harvests to sustain livelihood and alleviate the food crisis and food inflation ravaging the zone. Within the study area, the following data were collected: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map, lineament map and drainage pattern map. They were interpreted, and areas with high agricultural yield potentials were mapped. Band ratios (3/4, 4/2, 3/1, 5/4) were generated to reduce the effects of shadowing and as well improve the features present. The NDVI values that indicate soil viability, generated within the study area range from –0.22 to 0.51.

Morphotectonic and morphostructural investigation in northwestern Minas Gerais State, Brazil: a lineament mapping assessment

This study aimed to investigate whether linear natural features are associated with structural or tectonic control of landforms and current drainage patterns in northwestern Minas Gerais State (Southeastern Brazil). To answer this question, more than 1,700 lineaments were manually mapped in a broader area encompassing the Paracatu and Urucuia River catchments. One satellite image scene (Operational Land Imager/Landsat-8), three different digital elevation models (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer-Global digital elevation model, and Advanced Land Observing Satellite-Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar), and digitised analogical maps (geologic and topographic maps) were used to draw linear geometric features representing the lineament population. The resulting vector databases were integrated in a Geographic Information System for quantitative and spatial analyses, which resulted in two main trending lineament sets: NNW-SSE and NE-SW. Subsequent field assessments revealed that numerous lineaments from the first set were correlated to the formerly Upper Precambrian reverse and strike-slip faults. The second set were correlated to NE-SW normal faults derived from the Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic event following the breakup of Gondwana. These datasets contribute to a better understanding of the regional-, sub-regional-, and catchment-scale features underlying the structural control of the drainage network arrangement and pattern, which present long straight channels and are interrupted by anomalous and prominent bends that strictly fit major structural directions.

Integration of remote sensing and geophysical methods for structural and lithological mapping in a part of Precambrian Basement Rocks, northern Nigeria

Landsat 8 OLI data, Aeromagnetic data, and Radial Vertical Electrical Sounding (RVES) survey data were integrated to map lithology, delineate structures and their trends, and delineate possible mineralized zones in the area. Landsat 8 OLI data yielded a color composite image, and surface lineaments map of the area. The aeromagnetic maps were utilized to map lithology, and subsurface structures. A radial survey confirmed the fractures derived from the structural maps. Results classified the area into three geological units viz: migmatite, banded gneiss, and quartzite. The banded gneiss is the most deformed and contains series of structures that are significant for mineral and groundwater explorations. Clay alteration is the most dominant in the area, followed by iron oxide alterations. Lineament alignments are N-S, NNW-SSE, NNE-SSW, NE-SW, and E-W directions.

An Application of Softsign Function (SF) Filter to Low-Latitude Aeromagnetic Data of Tafawa-Balewa Area, Northern Nigeria for Geostructural Mapping and Tectonic Analysis

A recently proposed edge detection technique – Softsign Function (SF) filter was applied to a synthetic magnetic data to illustrate its application. It was then applied in combination with 3D Euler deconvolution and 2D magnetic modelling techniques to the low-latitude aeromagnetic data of Tafawa-Balewa Area, Northern Nigeria, aimed at subsurface geostructural mapping and tectonic analysis of the study area. This was corroborated with mapping and analysis of surface lineaments from Landsat-9 image of the study area. The SF filter depicted edges of magnetic sources from the synthetic magnetic and aeromagnetic data as distinct peaks. The 3D Euler deconvolution solutions and 2D magnetic model showed two dominant depth ranges ∼ 10 m to ∼ 400 m (D1) and ∼ 400 m to ∼ 1000 m (D2) of magnetic sources. The subsurface and surface lineaments from the aeromagnetic data and Landsat-9 image, respectively, fairly agreed in location, trends, even distribution, and density. The trends of mapped lineaments are majorly ENE – WSW direction, and the minor trends are WNW – ESE, NE – SW, NNW – SSE, NNE – SSW, and NW – SE directions. These linear structures, consistent with regional tectonics, are suspected to be strike-slip faults generated by the conjugate system of strike-slip NE – SW and NW – SE faults, including the Romanche and Chain fault systems, produced by the oceanic-continental transcurrent movements which affected the Nigerian basement complex. Explicitly, Softsign Function (SF) filter is a valuable edge detection technique in mapping geological structures from a real low-latitude aeromagnetic data reduced to the geomagnetic equator for tectonic analysis.

Application of Aeromagnetic Data Analysis and Interpretations to Investigate Solid Mineral Potential in Part of Bauchi, Northeast Nigeria

Abstract: The distribution of surface and subsurface magnetic materials within the study area, the delineation of geologic lineaments, and an estimate of the depth to magnetic sources were all determined by interpreting high resolution aeromagnetic data that covered a portion of Bauchi, northeastern Nigeria, lying between Latitudes 9040'00"N to 10010'0"N and Longitudes 900'0"E to 9040'0'E. The Aeromagnetic map, analytical signal, and horizontal derivative filters used on total magnetic intensity data after reduction to the magnetic equator (RTE) show that the Toro and its environs contain highly magnetic minerals thought to be potential deposits of iron ore. The lithological map and the lineament maps have a good connection. Further examination of the findings reveals that the research area has varying degrees of Ferro-, para-, and diamagnetic mineralization (of the iron and non-iron varieties). The geological source bodies are thought to be located between 177.389 and 991.626 meters deep, according to the Euler depth solution. This shows that during the orogenic process, a sequence of strong deformations were present alongside the Toro.

Utilization of ASTER data in lithological and lineament mapping of the southern flank of the Central High Atlas in Morocco

Geological mapping undoubtedly plays an important role in several studies and remote sensing data are of great significance in geological mapping, particularly in poorly mapped areas situated in inaccessible regions. In the present study, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Band Rationing (BR) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) algorithms are applied to map lithological units and extract lineaments in the Amezri-Amassine area, by using multispectral ASTER image and global digital elevation model (GDEM) data for the first time. Following preprocessing of ASTER images, advanced image algorithms such as PCA, BR and MNF analyses are applied to the 9ASTER bands. Validation of the resultant maps has relied on matching lithological boundaries and faults in the study area and on the basis of pre-existing geological maps. In addition to the PCA image, a new band-ratio image, 4/6–5/8–4/5, as adopted in the present work, provides high accuracy in discriminating lithological units. The MNF transformation reveals improvement over previous enhancement techniques, in detailing most rock units in the area. Hence, results derived from the enhancement techniques show a good correlation with the existing litho-structural map of the study area. In addition, the present results have allowed to update this map by identifying new lithological units and structural lineaments. Consequently, the methodology followed here has provided satisfactory results and has demonstrated the high potential of multispectral ASTER data for improving lithological discrimination and lineament extraction.