This report concerns a study which was initially conducted for the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (SKI), which is now merged into the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). The conclusions and viewpoints presented in the report are those of the author and do not necessarily coincide with those of the SSM.
In the characterization of a site that may have potential for hosting a repository for spent nuclear fuel at depth in crystalline bedrock, it is essential to understand the existent framework of brittle deformation zones in the bedrock. These zones have affect on groundwater transport and the hydrochemistry in the bedrock and the rock mechanical properties.
The ground comprises the solid and continuous surface of the Earth. By using remote-sensing techniques applied for structural analysis of the ground surface, it is possible to map features in the terrain that are related to bedrock structures provided that the topography of the bedrock surface is not totally concealed below a cover of soil or other lose material. Even though the sedimentary cover is relatively thick it may be distorted and the ground surface displaced by late faulting in the basement rock.
Source data for studies of lineaments consist of information on the topography (e.g. topographical maps, aerial photos, elevation data, multi-spectral sensing, laser, radar and thermography) and geophysical data (e.g. airborne geophysical data comprising magnetic, electromagnetic, radiation measurements, and gravimetric measurements).