Tectonic Interpretation of Topographic Lineaments in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire, U. S. A.

Abstract

The identification of topographic lineaments on Digital Elevation Models, high-resolution bathymetric soundings, and an ordinary Kriging prediction map provide the basis for refinement of the traces of known fault zones associated with the Norumbega Fault System in the seacoast region of New Hampshire. On the present topography, simple Euler poles analysis suggests the association of the course of the Piscataqua and the Cocheco rivers with the mechanics of emplacement of the Mesozoic Agamenticus Complex. Topographic profiles, bathymetric soundings, structural analysis of brittle structures, and an ordinary Kriging prediction map of the bedrock topography support the presence of a sub-circular structure that is being interpreted as related to a subsurface plutonic body. An extensional regime model is being presented to illustrate the possible tectonic evolution of Great Bay tidal estuary.