Automatic Detection Of Lineaments From Landsat Data

Lineaments are features that represent faults, fractures, joints, contacts, topographic linear ridges, valleys and tonal contrasts, and have a degree of linearity. They are important in understanding the structure and tectonics of a region. They often represent a major structural discontinuity that controls the emplacement of igneous intrusions and may be related to the mineralization or entrapment of oil and gas reservoirs. Lineaments are of primary importance to geologists and can be studied using remotely sensed data. The interpretation and mapping of lineaments is often a subjective matter and varies with individuals' ability and experience. An automatic lineament detection technique has been developed that is useful in mapping lineaments by image processing Landsat data. The technique involves the enhancement of linear features followed the delineation of these enhanced lineaments through pattern recognition techniques. Lineament maps can be produced using this technique, which eliminates subjective decisions and proves very effective in extracting structural and tectonic information.