A Structural Analysis of the Fracture Sets in Gothenburg, Sweden: A Remote Sensing and Manual Lineament Approach

Abstract

The fracture-valley landscape within the Gothenburg region was analysed based on LiDAR-derived hillshade images as well as several sources of orthomosaics. Using a manual lineament interpretation approach and complimented with an objective fractal analysis software (FROST), the objective of the study was to characterise the regional fracture sets as well as attempt to link the sets to the complex regional geological history. The results derived from the lineament dataset show a complex interaction between 'foliation lineaments' which originate from weaknesses related to ductile processes, and further superimposed by 'non-foliation lineaments' which relate to fractures formed in the brittle regime. The ductile pattern is observed to play a pivotal role at the local level in the subsequent formation of brittle fracture patterns within. Added to this, several locations provide compelling evidence suggesting lateral and/or vertical displacement based on distinct boundaries between local fracture patterns and/or vertical relief along lineaments (fault planes).