Fracture trace analysis with a Geographic Information System (GIS)
- Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston (United States)
Lineaments on side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) and LANDSAT satellite imagery were mapped over the western two-thirds of Rhode Island for a study of fracture trace analysis. The Geographic Information System (GIS) with computer programs was used for storing, processing, and displaying geographic information including the lineaments, their lengths and orientations. Since the imagery is frequently slightly distorted, the location and orientation of the lineaments are corrected by a comparison of recognizable points on the imagery and a base map. The main purpose of the fracture trace analysis was to assist in the search for new landfill sites. Because of the demonstrated correlation between lineaments and high permeability bedrock zones, it is recommended to place candidate sites away from lineaments, particularly if they coincide with known faults or rock boundaries. Only lineaments larger than 1.6 km were used, since the map showing all lineaments looked chaotic and left little space for a candidate site. The lineaments were categorized by their correspondence with topographic features. They also received attributes expressed in correlations with geophysical anomalies, geologic boundaries, and with areas of a high density of small lineaments. A geologic interpretation of the lineaments is tenuous at this time, as they suggest that many faults have not been mapped. The lineament orientations suggest a system of faults and fractures that was caused by complicated stress conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 6372443
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the Association of Engineering Geologists; (United States), Vol. 30:1; ISSN 0004-5691
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
MAPPING
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
HYDROLOGY
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
LINEAMENTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MANAGEMENT
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
580000* - Geosciences
990301 - Information Handling- Data Handling- (1992-)
540250 - Environment
Terrestrial- Site Resource & Use Studies- (1990-)