Structural lineament mapping using remote sensing in the aures massif (ne algeria)

Abstract

The Aures massif is located in the eastern part of the Atlasic Domain and formed by Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. The main objective of this study is to map the structural lineaments and geologically analyze their different geometric aspects, like orientation and distribution, using remote sensing data. Another important aim is to track the extent of lineaments, understand how they integrate into the regional structure and trace the main tectonic events responsible for the Aures' structuration. Both manual and automatic approaches were employed to achieve the study's objectives. More than twelve thousand lineaments were identified, and grouped into four direction families: NW-SE, NE-SW, E-W, and N-S. Two main factors control the orientation: density and distribution of the lineaments, and topographic and geologic factors. A good correspondence was found between literature and techniques employed in this work regarding structural lineament analysis showing that the Aures lineaments result from the succession of Alpine orogeny tectonic phases. Mainly two phases were responsible on its structuration: the major Atlasic event, which occurred during the Lutetitian stage with NW-SE trending, and the Alpine which happened in late Miocene with N-S compression.