The Stress Field Derived from Remote Sensing in the Northwest Kinki District, Southwest Japan

Abstract

The study using the slope-shaded map and lineament map from Landsat images reveals that the Kinki district consists of several geologic blocks resembling a mosaic. The main lineaments are divided into four patterns by their direction and geological significance: they are N-S, E-W, NE-SW, NW-SE and sometimes cut each other. Some of them show a relatively good agreements with the distribution of active faults and linear distribution of microearthquake epicenters.
Some large lineaments are located in the boundary of geologic blocks. Their distribution patterns seem to indicate that this district has been under an E-W compressive force at least throughout the Quaternary.