Lineament mapping using RS and GIS techniques at Mbateka, se Cameroon: Implication for mineralization

Abstract

The application of remote sensing and GIS technology has shown a great promise, over the years, and offered opportunities for improving identification of areas that are likely to be locations of lineament and mapping. Based on the ability to identify geological features, Landsat ETM-7 satellite data images were used and band-5 was found as the most suitable for lineament delineation. Parameters such as drainage patterns, previously mapped faults, lineaments, and lithological contact layers were used in this study, to produce a fault potential prediction map using the overlay model technique. The generated fault density map classifies the study area into 5 potential zones, thus, very low, low, moderate, high, and very high potential zones. 33 faults, which may represent new faults in the area of investigation were obtained from the correlation between fault segments and faults data collected from field work. NW-SE is the general orientation of the fractures and N100-1100E was the major trend obtained from fault analyses. Poly-phase ductile-brittle structures such as shear zone and faults in the study area were confirmed by our findings. Iron mineralization in the area is controlled by those structures since they form pathways for mineralizing fluids.