A morphologic and morphostructural analysis was conducted in the southwest Central Cordillera of Luzon using digital elevation models and drainage network analysis. Major known morphological features and geological structures were clearly recognized which are related to the active deformation of the Central Cordillera, Particularly striking are the NS to NW-SE trending structures associated to the northern part of the Philippine Fault in Luzon. However, numerous previously undocumented structures (e.g. NE-SW structures) were also recognized.

Specifically, the Baguio Basin was identified based on the analyses of the lineaments and the general morphology of the area. This basin appears to occur as a pull-apart basin associated to subparallel strike-slip faults. The Baguio Basin is apparently an asymmetric basin occurring as a transtensionial relay basin between two NW-SE trending subparallel left-lateral strike-slip faults associated to the Philippine fault system in Northern Luzon. Neogene to Recent magmatism apparently sealed the activity along this structure in its southern boundary. Subsequent strike-slip faulting along these faults could be associated to recent activity of this fault system. North of Baguio Basin, the La Trinidad Basin, on the other hand, appears to be younger and limited by recent and probably active NS trending faults.