2D Lineaments Extraction, Drainage Pattern Evaluation Using Digital Elevation Modelling and Tectonic Stress Magnitudes Analysis of Southern and Northern Potwar Deformed Zones (SPDZ & NPDZ), Pakistan

ABSTRACT: This research investigates the tectonic architecture and geomorphic evolution of the Southern and Northern Potwar Deformed Zones (SPDZ & NPDZ), leveraging cutting-edge geospatial and geophysical techniques. High-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) facilitated the extraction of 2D lineaments and drainage patterns, elucidating tectonic controls on fluvial morphology. The hydrological network was analyzed using the D8 method, while lineament extraction employed Hough transformation algorithms to enhance precision. Stream profile analyses quantified geomorphic indices, revealing marked contrasts in erosion and uplift rates between SPDZ and NPDZ. Advanced structural analyses utilized Rose and Mohr Diagrams to delineate fault orientations and compute tectonic stress magnitudes. Temporal structure maps, derived from seismic interpretations and two-way travel time (TWT) data, unveiled subsurface geometries, prominently featuring folded and thrust fault systems. A comprehensive correlation between drainage networks and tectonic lineaments highlighted their synergistic impact on regional landscape dynamics. This study confirms a compressive tectonic regime with localized strike-slip deformation and provides critical insights into the interplay of tectonic processes and geomorphic responses within the Potwar Plateau. These integrative methodologies present significant implications for structural analysis and hydrocarbon exploration in geologically intricate terrains. 1. INTRODUCTION The Potwar Plateau is part of the Northwestern Himalayan Fold and Thrust Belt, located on the western border of the India-Eurasia collision zone. The Potwar Plateau's tectonic settings are impacted by the northward sinking of the Indian plate beneath the Eurasian plate. We utilized SRTM's Digital Elevation Models (90 m resolution version 3.0) The vectorization of flow directions enabled us to determine stream pathways. The retrieved drainage network included 112 streams that provided elevation and upstream area information based on their geographical positions (Ahmed, 2019). The stream profile analysis assisted us in calculating the geomorphic indices and uplift rates for each stream under particular assumptions. The streams in NPDZ have higher steepness and concavity indices than the streams in SPPZ. The direction of lineaments and drainage patterns contributed to the mathematical deformation calculation. Seismic methods were utilized to investigate the Eocene successions, which are two conspicuous and significant reflectors (Najwa, et al., 2023). The seismic line's two-way travel time (TWT) was utilized to generate temporal structure maps. The Tectonic and geological map of Northern and Southern Potwar Deformed Zones is shown in Figure 1.