  The potential-energy surfaces of an extended set of heavy and super-heavy
even-even nuclei with $92 \le Z \le 126$ and isospins $40 \le N-Z \le 74$ are
evaluated within the recently developed Fourier shape parametrization.
Ground-state and decay properties are studied for 324 different even-even
isotopes in a four-dimensional deformation space, defined by non-axiality,
quadrupole, octupole, and hexadecapole degrees of freedom. Nuclear deformation
energies are evaluated in the framework of the macroscopic-microscopic
approach, with the Lublin-Strasbourg-Drop model and a Yukawa-folded mean-field
potential. The evolution of the ground-state equilibrium shape (and possible
isomeric, metastable states) is studied as a function of $Z$ and $N$.
Alpha-decay $Q$-values and half-lives, as well as fission-barrier heights, are
deduced. In order to understand the transition from asymmetric to symmetric
fission along the Fm isotopic chain, the properties of all identified fission
paths are investigated. Good agreement is found with experimental data wherever
available. New interesting features about the population of different fission
modes for nuclei beyond Fm are predicted.
