Fractal analysis of fracturing in two African regions, from satellite imagery to ground scale

Abstract In two test areas of Africa, the fractal character of fracture fields was analyzed at very different scales, on fracture maps from satellite images and from interpretation of drainage networks on topographical maps, aerial photographs and ground photographs. Three different methods were used and the results criticized. It was generally found that the area studied in western Africa displays more fractal features than the area examined in central Africa; this might be related to the number and mechanism of fracturing phases in each region.

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