Geophysical methods have the potential to delineate and map the geometry of glacially induced faults (GIFs) in the hard rock environment of the Baltic Shield. Relevant geophysical methods include seismic, geoelectric, electromagnetic, magnetic and gravity ones. However, seismic methods have the greatest potential for determining the geometry at depth due to their higher resolving power. Seismic methods have even been used to identify a previously unknown GIF within the Pärvie Fault system. The other geophysical methods are usually employed to image the near-surface structure of GIFs. We provide a brief review of geophysical principles and how they apply to imaging of GIFs in the hard rock environment. The advantages and challenges associated with various geophysical methods are discussed through several case histories. Results to date show that it is possible to map GIFs dipping at 35–65° from the near-surface down to depths of 7–8 km. It is not clear if the limiting factor in their mapping at depth is the nature of the faults or the limitations in the seismic acquisition parameters since the mapping capacity is highly dependent upon the acquisition geometry and source type used.

Regions affected by glacial isostatic adjustment experience stress changes. The stress will be released either by slow aseismic movements along faults or by sudden stress release in form of earthquakes. Location and source mechanism of those earthquakes can play a major role in understanding past and ongoing geodynamic processes in a glacial isostatic adjustment-affected region. On the one hand, alignments of earthquake hypocentres may act as an indicator for active faults that might not be known from geology before. On the other hand, calculation and interpretation of earthquake focal mechanisms, represent a key to stress and stress changes. We present an overview of seismological methods and tools to retrieve fault geometry and motion.