The author has identified the following significant results. The La Paz Mosaic and its attendant overlays serve as a model for geologic studies elsewhere in the world. The P.I. and two geologists are mapping the conterminous states at scales of 1:5000,000 and 1:1,000,000. The 1:5 million band 5 mosaic was completed in two days of analysis. The 1:1 million band sheets are being completed at the rate of one per day. Comparison of the preliminary results of the three investigators shows a high correlation of linear and curvilinear features. Comparison with magnetic and gravity data indicates that many features being mapped are deep seated structures that have been active through long periods of geologic time, perhaps dating back to the Precambrian period. A detailed analysis of the El Salvador mining district has been completed. The interpretation is extremely detailed showing a complex pattern of linear features and bedrock outcrop patterns. This is the first product from ERTS-1 to be provided by Chile and shows a high degree of expertise in image interpretation. The Chileans are enthusiastic about their results and are anxious to map the entire country using ERTS

Carter, W. D.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

"Ma de availabe uder NASA sponsorship "0.6 0.
in the interest of early and wide dis- 
.
semination of Earth Resources Survey -3 7
Program information and without liabilityfor any use made thereot."
EVALUATION OF ERTS-1 DATA APPLICATIONS TO GEOLOGIC MAPPING, STRUCTURAL
ANALYSIS AND MINERAL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA WITH SPECIAL
EMPHASIS ON THE ANDES MOUNTAIN REGION
William D. Carter
U. S. Geological Survey, EROS Program
1925 Isaac Newton Square, East,- Bldg. E-2
Reston, Virginia 22090
20 May 1974
Type I Progress Report for Period January I - April 30, 1974
N-74-28842
EjI-l0609) EVALUATION OF ERTS-1 DATA
APPLICATIOS TO GEOLOGIC MAPPINGESOURCE
STBUCTRAL ANALYSIS AND INEIRL E unclas
INVENTORY OF SOUTH (Geological Survey, 0060 9
Reston, Va.) 6 p ~C G G
Prepared for:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
Publication authorized by the Director, U. S. Geological Survey.
//f? A
JUN 2 0 1974
S 19o 902.6
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740020729 2020-03-23T05:33:26+00:00Z
22) A paper describing the results mentioned above has been
written and submitted to the COSPAR Meeting to be held in late
June 1974 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. See references.
3) The P.I. has been asked by the International Union of Geological
Sciences (IUGS) to prepare and discuss with attendees of COSPAR
the establishment of a Committee on Remote Sensing within IUGS.
A draft proposal has been assembled and will soon be distributed
to geologists intending to be present at the COSPAR meeting.
4) Techniques developed in this South American experiment are now
being applied to comprehensive studies of the mosaic of the United
States compiled by the USDA Soil Conservation Service. The band 5
black and white mosaic of the U.S.A. at the 1:5,000,000 scale was
analyzed in two days of concentrated effort. Several major linear
and curvilinear features have been defined that have not been
previously known. Some, however, have been suspected and described
previously in the literature. All are being compared with existing
geologic and geophysical information. A large circular feature
(70 km in diameter) in southern Mississippi has been found to
correlate with a known large gravity anomaly. Part of the structure
has produced oil and gas. A linear feature extending from central
Florida northwestward across the southern tip of the Appalachians
into the region of New Madrid, Missouri, may have played some part
in the devastating earthquake of 1811. A large circular feature
(200 km diameter) has been found to underlie the coal basin of
southern Illinois.
A major linear feature has been found to extend from the western
shore of Lake Superior and Duluth, Minnesota, southwestward across
the Great Plains and through the Rocky Mountains, south of Denver,
into Arizona. Another roughly parallels it from the Northern
Great Plains through Yellowstone Park, the Snake River Plains,
northern Nevada and into the San Francisco Bay area. Major
curvilinear features are seen associated with the southern edge of
the volcanic region of Oregon and Idaho and the southern part of
the Basin and Range in Nevada and California. These possible
structures are tentatively believed to be surface expressions of
deep-seated crustal anomalies that have persisted through geologic
time.
5) More detailed analysis of the SCS Band 7 mosaics at a scale of
1:1,000,000 are also underway by three investigators. The western
U. S. is nearly completed. Hopefully the job will be done by
June 30, 1974. The interpretations will then be compared to each
other to develop relative confidence maps which, in turn, will be
sent to local USGS geologists for evaluation with field evidence
and published maps. Hopefully these maps will also be used in
developing plans for future work in the fields of energy and
mineral resource exploration.
36) A paper describing the results mentioned above is in preparation
for presentation at the American Institute of Mining and Petroleum
Engineers in Acapulco, Mexico, in September 1974. See references.
e. Discussion of significant scientific results and their relationship
to practical applications or operational problems (Abstract):
1) The La Paz Mosaic and its attendant overlays (lineation map,
mine location map, metallogenic map and seismic risk map) serve as
a model for geologic studies elsewhere in the world. The principal
investigator and two other USGS geologists are now involved with
mapping the conterminous states at scales of 1:5,000,000 and
1:1,000,000. The 1:5,000,000 Band 5 mosaic was completed in 2 days
of analysis. The 1:1,000,000 Band 7 sheets are being completed at
the rate of one per day. Comparison of the preliminary results of
the three investigators shows a high correlation of linear and
curvilinear features. Comparison with magnetic and gravity data
indicates that many features being mapped are deep seated structures
that have been active through long periods of geologic time,
perhaps dating back to the Precambrian period.
2) A detailed analysis of E-1243-14013 (black and white, Band 6)
of the El Salvador mining district has been completed by Alvaro
Tobar, Gabriel Perez R., and Agustin Gutierrez of the Instituto de
Investigaciones Geologicas de Chile. The interpretation is
extremely detailed showing a complex pattern of linear features and
bedrock outcrop patterns. This is the first product from ERTS to
be provided by Chile and shows a high degree of expertise in image
interpretation. The Chileans are enthusiastic about their results
and are anxious to map the entire country using ERTS.
f. A listing of published articles and/or papers, preprints, in-house
reports; abstracts of talks, that were released during the reporting
period:
Carter, William D. (in press): ERTS-1: A key ingredient to Mineral
and Energy Resource Exploration: Abstract for presentation at
the AIME/SME Fall Meeting, September 23-25, 1974, Acapulco,
Mexico. (Attachment A)
Carter, William D., ERTS-1: Its potential in estimating population:
A talk presented May 10, 1974, to The Population Council, New York,
New York.
4g. Recommendations concerning practical changes in operations,
additional investigative effort, correlation of effort and results
as related to a maximum utilization of the ERTS system.
No recommendations at this time.
h. A listing by date of any changes in Standing Order Forms:
None.
i. 'ERTS Image Descriptor Forms:
None.
J. Listing by date of any changed Data Request Forms submitted to
Goddard Space Flight Center/NDPF during the reporting period:
None.
k. Status of Data Collection Platforms:
Not Applicable.
Type I Progress Report - ERTS-1 (Period: i March 1974 - 30 April 1974)
a. Title: Structural Geology and Mineral Resource Inventory of
South America, with Emphasis on the Andes Mountains
ERTS-A Proposal No. SR 189
b. GSFC ID No. of P.I.: IN-012
William D. Carter
U. S. Geological Survey
1925 Newton Square, East
Reston, Virginia 22090
c. Statement and explanation of any problems that are impeding the
progress of the investigation:
A heavy workload within the Topographic Division throughout the
U.S.A. is making it difficult to find a place where compilation
of the next two 4 x 6 degree mosaics (Area 9 - Copiapo, Chile,
and Area 10 - Tucuman, Argentina) can be undertaken. Unless an
alternative group can be found, the work will have to be deferred
until FY 75. This will delay completion of the final report for
perhaps 1 to 2 months. Alternative USGS offices now being
considered are the Denver Federal Center, Colorado, and Rolla,
Missouri, and the Center for Astrogeology, Flagstaff, Arizona.
If these centers are unable to undertake the work a commercial
firm will be sought.
d. Discussion of the accomplishments during the reporting period and
those planned for the next reporting period:
1) Much of the reporting period was devoted to refining the work
done in Area 7 - La Paz (16-20*S. and 66-72*W.). The structural
analysis has been completed and sent to coinvestigators in Peru,
Bolivia and Chile for evaluation. A relative confidence map has
been compiled which shows the correlation of the interpretation
with published maps (in red) and with other interpretations (in
green). The correlation is excellent (80-90%) for the areas
mutually covered and the confidence level, therefore, is high. In
addition a mine and mineral resource map has been compiled from
published sources. Dr. Brockmann has recently submitted an updated
mineral resource map of Bolivia that has been added to the existing
compilation and enabled the P.I. to develop a new metallogenic map
of the area. A seismic risk map showing the location of epicenters
of earthquakes having a magnitude of 5 or greater has also been
compiled and correlates well with the most obvious and recent
linear systems of the western cordillera of the Andes.
ERTS-1 Data: A Key Ingredient to Mineral and Energy
Resource Exploration
by
William D. Carter
EROS Program
U.S. Geological Survey
Reston, Virginia
ABSTRACT
The Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1), an experimentalsatellite launchecd by IASA on July 23, 1972, has acquired approxirmately100,000 multispectral images of the earth in 2 years of operation.
While the data have application to miny disciplines, it is of specialinterest and has operational use to scientists and engineers involved
in supplying the burgeoning demands for mineral and energy raw materials.
Small-scale mosaics compiled of large areas of North and SouthAmerica are providing new data that will aid in refining theories ofplate tectonics and retalloenesis, and contribute significantly to the
selection of new exploration targets. For example, a mosaic of the
conterminous United States conpiled originally by U.S. Doeartment ofAgriculture Soil Conservation Service at a scale of 1:1,000,000 andreduced to 1:5,000,000 permitted the definition of major linear, curvi-linear, and circular features in less than 2 days of analysis. Moredetailed analyses of selected regions were also conducted on mosaicscompiled from images in the infrared snectrum (0.8-1.1 micrometers)
at 1:1,000,000 scale by several individuals working independently.Comparison of these results helps determine the level of confidence ofthe interpretations. Further comparison witn published geologic andgeophysical maps at similar scales helps strengthen this confidence
and, furthermore, defines those areas where future field study and
exploration is needed.
For presentation at AMIE/SME Fall M eeting, September 23-25, 1974,Acapulco, Mexico


Evaluation of ERTS-1 data applications to geologic mapping, structural analysis and mineral resource inventory of South America with special emphasis on the Andes Mountain region

The author has identified the following significant results. Segerstrom delineated many grabens (down-faulted blocks) not shown on published maps of Argentina nor of South America. The faults that border the grabens are better appreciated in ERTS-1 imagery than on air photos or on the ground because of the masking affect of alluvial fill deposits. In frame no. 1188-13545 a change in local prevailing wind direction from east to southeast is noted in sand streams. In frame no. 1188-13551 it was surprising to see that Solar del Hombre Muerto was covered with water. In November 1971 the investigator has driven across the salt pan several times without wetting his wheels. It was also possible to differentiate the following rock and soil classes: Granites, metamorphic, volcanic rocks, Tertiary and Quaternary clastic deposits and salt pans. Portions of railroads and highways as well as small towns were identified. In frame no. 1188-13551 the Incahuasi Gold Mine and the Tincalayu Borax Mine were located

in the interest of early and wide dis-
semination of Earth Resources Survey
Program information and without liability
for any use made thereot."
EVALUATION OF ERTS-1 DATA APPLICATIONS TO GEOLOGIC MAPPING, STRUCTURAL
ANALYSIS AND MINERAL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA WITH SPECIAL
EMPHASIS ON THE ANDES MOUNTAIN REGION
William D. Carter
U. S. Geological Survey
EROS Program
Washington, D. C. 20244
28 September 1973
Type I Progress Report for Period 1 May - 30 June, 1973
Prepared for:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
Reproduced by
NATIONAL TECHNICAL
INFORMATION SERVICE
US Department of Commerce
Springfield, VA. 22151
Publication authorized by the Director, U. S. Geological Survey.
E74-10405) EVALUATION OF ERTS-1 DATA N74-19941
APPLICATIONS TO GEOLOGIC MAPPING,
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND MINERAL RESOURCE
INVENTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA (Geoloqical Unclas
Survey) CSCL 08F G3/13 00405
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740011828 2020-03-23T11:19:15+00:00Z
Type I Progress Report
ERTS-1
a. Title: Geologic Mapping, Structural Analysis and Mineral
Resource Inventory of South America
ERTS-A Proposal No. SR-E189
b. GSFC ID No. of P.I.: IN-012
c. Statement and explanation of any problems that are impeding
the progress of the investigation.
A deluge of ERTS-1 data from the February-March data collection
period flooded our office so that much of the interpretive work
had to be suspended to catalogue the data. Additional help was
sought, and Stuart Marsh, Scientific Aid, got us through the
crisis.
d. Discussion of the accomplishments during the reporting period
and those planned for the next reporting period.
Twenty-four sets of images (9x9 pos. trans.) were sent to
Dr. Eduardo Methol, Argentina Co-investigator; 11 sets to
Dr. Eduardo Gonzales, Venezuela; 8 sets to Mr. Tassir Kassem,
Colombia; 17 sets to Dr. Carlos Brockmann, Bolivia; 33 sets to
Ing. Epifanio Suyo Rivera, Peru; 10 sets to Dr. Luis Henrique de
Azevedo, Brazil.
Kenneth Segerstrom, USGS, Denver, completed geologic analysis of
three images (1188-13545, 1188-13551 and 1188-13554). The results
of this study are outlined below.
e. Discussion of significant, scientific results and their relation-
ship to practical applications or operational problems. (Abstract)
Segerstrom delineated many grabens (down-faulted blocks) not
shown on published maps of Argentina nor of South America. The
faults that border the grabens are better appreciated in ERTS-1
imagery than on air photos or on the ground because of the masking
effect of alluvial fill deposits. In frame no. 1188-13545 a
change in local prevailing wind direction from east to southeast
is noted in sand streams. In frame no. 1188-13551 he was surprised
to see that Solar del Hombre Muerto was covered with water. In
November 1971 Segerstrom drove across the salt pan several times
without wetting his wheels. Segerstrom was able to differentiate
2the following rock and soil classes: granites, metamorphic,
volcanic rocks, Tertiary and Quaternary clastic deposits and salt
panl. Portions of railroads and highways as well as small towns
were identified. In frame 1188-13551 the Incahuasi Gold mine and
the Tincalayu Borax Mine were located.
f. A listing of published articles and/or papers, pre-prints,
in-house reports, abstracts of talks, that were released during
the reporting period:
On May 23, 1973, W. D. Carter presented the following paper
at the COSPAR Meeting, Konstanz, F. R. G. "EROS Program and ERTS-1
Satellite Applications to Geophysical Problems," By W. D. Carter
(USA-IUGS). (Abstract attached)
g. Recommendations concerning practical changes in operations,
additional investigative effort, correlation of effort and
results as related to a maximum utilization of the ERTS system:
None
h. A listing by date of any changes in Standing Order Forms:
None
i. ERTS Image Descriptor Forms
See attachments
j. Listing by date of any changed Data Request forms submitted
to Goddard Space Flight Center/NDPF during the reporting period:
None
k. Status of Data Collection Platforms:
Not applicable


There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Evaluation of ERTS-1 data applications to geologic mapping, structural analysis and mineral resource inventory of South America with special emphasis on the Andes Mountain region

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