Remote sensing—A geophysical perspective

Abstract

In this review of developments in the field of remote sensing from a geophysical perspective, the subject is limited to the electromagnetic spectrum from 0.4 μm to 25 cm. Three broad energy categories are covered: solar reflected, thermal infrared, and microwave. The reflected solar region has been the most intensely studied. Photointerpretation of images from individual spectral bands or from color composites remains the most widely used method of analysis. New instrumentation and digital processing, based on analysis of laboratory and field spectra, provide significant advances that are beginning to be applied to resource exploration. Color compositing techniques have been effectively used to detect the characteristic spectral reflectance features of iron oxides and hydroxyl‐bearing materials in satellite multispectral data for mapping areas of hydrothermal alteration. Airborne spectrometers can now detect individual spectral features of many minerals which are diagnostic of different stages of hydrothermal alteration. Evolution was from discrimination, based on empirical experience, to mineralogic identification and leading to quantification. Current developments also indicate new, promising extensions to vegetated terrains. Advances in thermal infrared studies are due to development of thermal models that permit mapping of physical property variations and to detection of spectral differences that provide important compositional information. Analysis techniques are still in their infancy, and thermal satellite data remain appropriate only for regional investigations. Microwave data have been acquired mainly with radar systems, which can provide very high resolution from space, but use of textural and slope information has had limited application. Long‐wavelength radiation has been shown to penetrate dry materials, and this may be applicable in extremely arid regions.