Abstract
Remote sensing systems are largely used in geology for regional mapping of mineralogy and lithology mainly from airborne or spaceborne platforms. Earth observers such as Landsat, ASTER or SPOT are equipped with multispectral sensors, but suffer from relatively poor spectral resolution. By comparison, the existing airborne and spaceborne hyperspectral systems are capable of acquiring imagery from relatively narrow spectral bands, beneficial for detailed analysis of geological remote sensing data. However, for vertical exposures, those platforms are inadequate options since their poor spatial resolutions (metres to tens of metres) and NADIR viewing perspective are unsuitable for detailed field studies. Here, we have demonstrated that field-based approaches that incorporate thermal infrared hyperspectral technology with about a 40-nm bandwidth spectral resolution and tens of centimetres of spatial resolution allow for efficient mapping of the mineralogy and lithology of vertical cliff sections. We used the Telops lightweight and compact passive thermal infrared hyperspectral research instrument for field measurements in the Jura Cement carbonate quarry, Switzerland. The obtained hyperspectral data were analysed using temperature emissivity separation algorithms to isolate the different contributions of self-emission and reflection associated with different carbonate minerals. The mineralogical maps derived from measurements were found to be consistent with the expected carbonate results of the quarry mineralogy. Our proposed approach highlights the benefits of this type of field-based lightweight hyperspectral instruments for routine field applications such as in mining, engineering, forestry or archaeology.
Highlights
The exploration of geological outcrops is a field of high interest in geosciences especially for collecting geospatial data, for geometric parameter measurements, as well as for mineralogy and lithology mapping
We have demonstrated that field-based approaches that incorporate thermal infrared hyperspectral technology with about a 40-nm bandwidth spectral resolution and tens of centimetres of spatial resolution allow for efficient mapping of the mineralogy and lithology of vertical cliff sections
The VNIR-SWIR ASD contact probe spectra measured at random positions of the mine face depicted in Figure 4c were used for identification of the mineralogy and comparing the results obtained in the Thermal Infrared (TIR) region
Summary
The exploration of geological outcrops is a field of high interest in geosciences especially for collecting geospatial data, for geometric parameter measurements, as well as for mineralogy and lithology mapping. Conventional field methods such as sedimentary logging and hand specimen description are generally used to collect data from accessible areas. Many of the geological outcrops used for detailed field studies are vertical cliff sections, and their exploration by conventional methods raise additional challenges such as collecting samples on a high vertical crumbly and unsafe wall face. A carbonate ion consists of four atoms leading to six possible fundamental vibration modes. The spectral behaviour of the carbonate minerals was used to construct the lithological map of the investigated outcrop
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