Enhancing Landsat TM to update the structural analysis of the Mirs Bay Basin, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

The coastal provinces of South China have been uniquely shaped by various tectonic events. During the mid-late Mesozoic tectono-thermal event, the oblique subduction of the Paleo Kula-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasian plate has created a complicated tectonic setting for the whole region. However, the mechanism of this event is not completely understood. In this paper, we discuss the advantages of using LANDSAT TM satellite imagery over a small part of the region - the Mirs Bay Basin which is largely covered by dense vegetation and where limited outcrops is seen. The use of satellite imagery complements field mapping and the result shows a prominent sinistral offset along the eastern margin of the Mirs Bay Basin, which was not previously recognized on the ground.