Separation of Alteration Zones on ASTER Data and Integration with Drainage Geochemical Maps in Soltanieh, Northern Iran

Faranak Feizi,Edris Mansuri

doi:10.4236/ojg.2013.32017

Abstract

The Soltanieh area is a part of Tarom volcano-plutonic zone that is located in north-west of Zanjan province in northwest of Iran. Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image processing have been used for mapping hydrothermal alteration zones in studied area. To separate the alternation zones; False Color Composite (FCC), Least Square Fit (LS-Fit), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and Spectral Angel Mapper (SAM) techniques have been applied on ASTER data and iron oxide, argillic, phyllic and propylitic zones have been separated. At last, the final alteration map is integrated with drainage geochemical maps of Cu, Zn and Pb minerals for introducing the probable high potential zones.

Highlights

The Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is an advanced multispectral imager that has launched on board NASA’s Terra spacecraft in December, 1999 [1]
False Color Composite, Least Square Fit, Minimum Noise Fraction and Spectral Angel Mapper methods were used on ASTER data for seperation of alteration zones
False Color Composite (FCC), Least Square Fit (LS-Fit), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and Spectral Angel Mapper (SAM) methods were used on ASTER data for discrimination of alteration zones

Summary

Introduction

The Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is an advanced multispectral imager that has launched on board NASA’s Terra spacecraft in December, 1999 [1]. ASTER covers a wide spectral region with 14 bands from the visible to the thermal infrared with high spatial, spectral and radiometric resolution. The spatial resolution varies with wavelength: 15 m in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR), 30 m in the short wave infrared (SWIR), and 90 m in the thermal infrared (TIR) [2]. The altered rocks have received much attention because of their economic potential and favorable spectral characteristics for remote identification [3] Hydrothermal alterations such as phyllic, argillic, potassic, and propylitic are associated with Porphyry-type deposits. An oxide zone is developing over many of the porphyry bodies, which are rich in iron oxide minerals These alteration minerals can detect by remote sensing techniques

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion