101 research outputs found
Geomorphology, tectonics, and exploration
Explorationists interpret satellite images for tectonic features and patterns that may be clues to mineral and energy deposits. The tectonic features of interest range in scale from regional (sedimentary basins, fold belts) to local (faults, fractures) and are generally expressed as geomorphic features in remote sensing images. Explorationists typically employ classic concepts of geomorphology and landform analysis for their interpretations, which leads to the question - Are there new and evolving concepts in geomorphology that may be applicable to tectonic analyses of images
Expression of San Andreas Fault on Seasat Radar Image
On a Seasat image (23.5-cm wavelength) of the Durmid Hills in
southern California, the San Andreas fault is expressed as a prominent
southeast-trending tonal lineament that is bright on the southwest
side and dark on the northeast side. Field investigation established
that the bright signature corresponds to outcrops of the Borrego
Formation, which weathers to a rough surface. The dark signature
corresponds to sand and silt deposits of Lake Coahuila which are
smooth at the wavelength of the Seasat radar. These signatures and
field characteristics agree with calculations of the smooth and
rough radar criteria. On Landsat and Skylab images of the Durmid
Hills, the Borrego and Lake Coahuila surfaces have similar bright
tones and the San Andreas fault is not detectable. On a side-looking
airborne radar image (0.86-cm wavelength), both the Borrego and Lake
Coahuila surfaces appear rough, which results in bright signatures on
both sides of the San Andreas fault. Because of this lack of roughness
contrast, the fault cannot be distinguished. The wavelength of
the Seasat radar system is well suited for mapping geologic features
in the Durmid Hills that are obscure on other remote sensing images
Geology
Papers from private industry reporting applications of remote sensing to oil and gas exploration were presented. Digitally processed LANDSAT images were successfully employed in several geologic interpretations. A growing interest in digital image processing among the geologic user community was shown. The papers covered a wide geographic range and a wide technical and application range. Topics included: (1) oil and gas exploration, by use of radar and multisensor studies as well as by use of LANDSAT imagery or LANDSAT digital data, (2) mineral exploration, by mapping from LANDSAT and Skylab imagery and by LANDSAT digital processing, (3) geothermal energy studies with Skylab imagery, (4) environmental and engineering geology, by use of radar or LANDSAT and Skylab imagery, (5) regional mapping and interpretation, and digital and spectral methods
Space shuttle radar images of Indonesia
Sabins (1983) interpreted Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR)-A images of Indonesia; Sabins and Ford (1985) interpreted SIR-B images. These investigations had the following major results: (1) major lithologic assemblages are recognizable by their terrain characteristics in the SIR images, and (2) both local and regional geologic structures are mappable. These results are summarized
Landsat imagery analysis and field studies in the Kullu and Chauhar valleys, Himachal Pradesh, India
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