Remote sensing clay mineral investigations for geologic applications using visible/infrared imaging spectroscopy

Recent developments in remote sensing technology have provided geologists with new tools that simplify and improve the geologic mapping process. This technology utilizes the fundamental physical properties of materials. Broad-band imaging systems such as the Landsat Multispedral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) produce computer-generated, color images that enhance the spectral differences between broad groups of minerals, rocks, soils, and vegetation and allow rapid mapping of their spatial distribution and variability. New higher spatial and spectral resolution imaging systems (imaging spectrometers) make identification of individual minerals and mineral assemblages possible. Imaging spectrometry, "the simultaneous acquisition of images in many narrow, contiguous spectral bands", allows extraction of a detailed reflectance spectrum for each picture element (pixel) of an image. Demonstrated examples in arid and semi-arid terrain using aircraft imaging spectrometers include identification of calcite, dolomite, muscovite, illite, montmorillonite, kaolinite, alunite, buddingtonite, and several other minerals. These data will soon be available on a global scale with the launch of a satellite instrument called the "High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer" (HIRIS) in 1997 as part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS).Kruse Fred .A, Hauff Phoebe.L. Remote sensing clay mineral investigations for geologic applications using visible/infrared imaging spectroscopy. In: Proceedings of the 9th international Clay Conference, Strasbourg, 1989. Vol V : Industrial applications of clays. Analytical techniques and teaching of clay mineralogy. Strasbourg : Institut de Géologie – Université Louis-Pasteur, 1990. pp. 43-51. (Sciences Géologiques. Mémoire, 89