28 Geologic Mapping in the West (Posters)

This poster session highlights geologic mapping in the western Cordillera and Rocky Mountains. We encourage submissions that explore bedrock and surficial geology, geophysics, hydrology, hazards, and more. Both professional and student submissions are welcome.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Alvarado D/E

Lineament Mapping via Hillshade Animation

Paper number: 28-11
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:15 AM – 8:15 AM

Authors

  • Paul Pope Presenting Author
    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
  • Richard Pratt
    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
  • Dane Coats
    Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

Abstract

Lineament mapping by manual heads-up digitization using a static hillshade layer as a background has been the de facto standard methodology for decades. However, a chronic impediment to this procedure is the fact that the azimuthal orientation of the lineaments within an area of interest is not known a priori.  Additionally, not all lineaments are oriented in the same direction. Multiple static hillshade renditions could be created of course; however, the unknown a priori optimal orientations still present a difficulty. Hillshade animations offer a compelling alternative. Hundreds of static hillshade layers can be created, whereby the illumination elevation remains constant while the azimuthal direction is gradually incremented. These frames are then used to create an animation ("movie"). The usual manual heads-up digitization then occurs by using this animation as a background reference within the ArcGIS Pro Full Motion Video tool. The goal of accurate and complete lineament mapping is supported by the fact that the human visual system is able to take advantage of not only the high contrast of edges, but also the fact that these edges fade in and out as the illumination angle gradually changes, thereby attracting the attention of the interpreter. This poster illustrates the successful application of this enhanced methodology. Lineament mapping of geologic fault candidates across the Pajarito Plateau is used as an exemplar.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410636

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