Detection of Karst Features in the Black Hills Area in South Dakota/Wyoming, USA, Based on Evaluations of Remote Sensing Data

Barbara Theilen-Willige

doi:10.3390/geosciences8060192

Abstract

Landsat 8, Sentinel 2, Aster, RapidEye and PlanetScope data and Sentinel 1- and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)-Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR)-radar images have been evaluated for a karst feature inventory in the Black Hills area in Wyoming/South Dakota, USA. The GeoInformation System (GIS) integrated evaluation of the different satellite data included as well World Imagery files of ESRI and Bing Maps high resolution satellite data of Microsoft. The satellite data revealed several types of circular features related to karst such as enclosed depressions and collapsed dolines as well as traces of tectonic/structural features (visualized by lineament analysis) cutting through youngest sediments, influencing karstification processes. The origin of the circular features is complex and partly unknown, needing further investigations. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, such as Aster- and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM data with 30 m and ALOS PASAR DEM with 12.5 m spatial resolution contributed to the detection of depressions, partly related to karst phenomena (sinkholes). Time series of satellite data reveal seasonal changes of the landscape and provide a data base for the documentation of the impact of climate change.

Highlights

The geologic investigation of the Black Hills in Wyoming/South Dakota dates back to the 19th century [1,2,3]
This study aims to carry out a comparative and aggregating analysis of these satellite data in order to gain additional knowledge about the complex, geologic structure of the Black Hills, especially related to karst phenomena
Based on the evaluation of the different satellite data several types of circular features related to karst phenomena could be detected:

Summary

Introduction

The geologic investigation of the Black Hills in Wyoming/South Dakota dates back to the 19th century [1,2,3]. Since the availability of satellite data, additional/new geologic knowledge-input was possible, especially since 2015, when satellite data such as Sentinel and Aster became free available like. This study aims to carry out a comparative and aggregating analysis of these satellite data in order to gain additional knowledge about the complex, geologic structure of the Black Hills, especially related to karst phenomena. Karst features such as dolines vary in their morphology and origins as there are collapse dolines and enclosed depressions. An increase in the magnitude of high-intensity precipitation events is already documented in the Black Hills region. Increased drought frequency and duration is exposing marginal lands to desertification [7]

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