Mapping Active
Faults
in the
Houston
Area
using LIDAR Data*
By
R. Engelkemeir1
Search and Discovery Article #50034 (2006)
Posted July 15, 2006
*Adapted from poster
presentation at AAPG Annual Convention, Houston
, Texas, April 9-12, 2006
Click to view slides in PDF format (4.6 mb).
Click to view posters in PDF format.
Poster 1 (8.3 mb) Poster 2 (1.1 mb) Poster 3 (2.5 mb)
1University
of Houston
; currently Schlumberger,
Houston
([email protected])
Abstract
Over 300 active
faults
intersect the earth's surface in the
Houston
Metropolitan
area
. They cause damage to man-made structures such as
roads, pipelines and buildings. We used LIDAR DEM images from the 2002 Tropical
Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP) to examine known
faults
and to search for
others that may have been overlooked in previous studies. We used hill-shading
as the primary visualization method for locating the
faults
. Later we examined
them in the field. At some locations fault deformation and associated damage
were evident, while in other locations field expression of the fault was subtle
and the presence of a fault was difficult to confirm. In some areas we used
refined grids, using both raw data and supplied DEM, to better define known
faults
and to identify previously unknown
faults
.
Proper documentation of active
surface
faults
is important
so that developers can avoid building in the zone of disturbed ground along
them. In some cases developers and builders have taken steps to avoid
construction on fault traces, often by leaving the land as an open greenbelt or
as a storm water detention pond. In other cases structures have been built
unknowingly within fault hazard bands.
Selected Figures
LIDAR DEM of Harris County, with LIDAR mapped |
|
Proposed model for |
|
This house on Morehead has had several foundation repair jobs over the years. |
References
Bird, Dale E., Kevin Burke, Stuart A. Hall, and John F. Casey, 2005, Gulf of Mexico tectonic history: Hotspot tracks, crustal boundaries, and early salt distribution: AAPG Bulletin, v. 89, p. 311-328.
Lowrie, A., R. Hamiter, M.A. Fogarty, T. Orsi, I. Lerche, 1996, Thermal and time-temperature index (TTI) patterns during geologic evolution of North and Central Gulf of Mexico: GCAGS Transactions, v. 46, p. 249-260.
Winker, Charles D., 1982, Cenozoic shelf margins, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: GCAGS Transactions, v. 32, p. 427-448.