Analysis and interpretation of Landsat synthetic stereo pair for the detection of active fault zones in the Abruzzi region (Central Italy)

Considerable enhancement of Landsat imagery for geologic and morphotectonic interpretation can be obtained through generation of a synthetic stereo pair, by means of the integration of the spectral data with a digital elevation model. Photointerpretation of the enhanced Landsat images allows one to detect morphotectonic landforms of regional extension and to analyze their geomorphic characteristics at a small scale. Field geologic and structural surveys are then extensively used to crosscheck the image interpretation and to establish the relationships between location, orientation, and estimated age of the regional structures, and the local evidences of active tectonics. An application of Landsat stereo pair creation and interpretation is presented for an area characterized by high rates of tectonic activity in Central Italy. The work results in the definition of the location and extension of an active seismotectonic source, whose geomorphic expression at the surface strongly suggests that it is capable of generating earthquakes of magnitude 7.