Lineament

A lineament is a straight or slightly curved, linear structure on which a surface or a body has characteristic features or on which the structure changes.

In common parlance, lineament is also a character trait .

earth sciences

The term is used in geology and closely related subjects for the geometric intersection of a regional or even continent-wide system of tectonic faults with the earth's surface. These disturbances can reach deep into the earth's crust (not infrequently into the upper mantle ). Geological lineaments are closely related to plate tectonic processes , which may well be in the more distant geological past.

The East African Rift Valley is one of the largest of these structures on earth . One of the most important lineaments in Europe is the Mediterranean-Mjosen-Zone , which is u. a. of the Rhone Valley , the Upper Rhine Rift and the Oslofjord is also expressed geomorphologically .

See also

• Alignment
• Structure line
• Thermal line
• Geological fault
• Continental margin

literature

• Hans Murawski , Wilhelm Meyer : Geological dictionary . 11th, revised and expanded edition. Elsevier - Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2004, ISBN 3-8274-1445-8 , p. 128 .
• Bruce A. Bolt : Earthquakes : Keys to Geodynamics. Spectrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg et al. 1995, ISBN 3-86025-353-0 .