Lineament mapping for a part of the Central Sulaiman Fold–Thrust Belt (SFTB), Pakistan

Abstract This study aims to analyze the lineaments using field data and a remote sensing approach, describe their relationship with folds, faults, regional tectonic stress of central Sulaiman Fold-Thrust Belt. Joint data, from nine anticlines, has been collected scanline method classified into three sets (JS1, JS2, JS3) based on geometrical relationships. Lineaments extracted 30 m digital elevation model have subsequently lineament (LS1, LS2, LS3) azimuths corresponding joint sets. A very high correlation coefficient (rs = 0.97), between joints remotely sensed lineaments, observed which validates that are representation local joints. The fold hinges indicates older LS1 LS2 strongly related folding episode, while younger LS3 is result shears. chronological interpretation deformational events responsible for constrained by presence Kingri Fault, induces strike-slip component within area. Furthermore, controls sets, established multivariate statistics decipher effects lithological structural contrasts density, reveal an increase in density can be attributed competence thickness rock units as well variable stresses across different folds. Based orientations these cumulative direction compressive event NW-SE (310–320) coincides SFTB.