Geological remote sensing from space

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7103748

Henderson, III, F B; Swann, G A ^[1]

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1. eds.

Remote sensing from space, essentially an extension of lower level, airborne remote sensing, offers many new advantages to assist in the geological and geophysical mapping of the earth. To be successfully applied, however, geological remote sensing from space must be utilized in conjunction with the other tools presently used in geological and geophysical mapping. Using space remote sensing it is now possible to specify the geological requirements for remote sensing from space. Although the geological parameters differ for deposits of the various resources and for various engineering and environmental geological problems, they are all involved in the general geological, geophysical, and geochemical mapping of the earth's surface. They include such things as structural interpretation, rock, mineral, soil, and vegetation discrimination and identification, and alteration studies. Against these geological parameters, present or potential space sensing capabilities can be compared for maximum geological utilization. In considering such capabilities, it is important to differentiate between application capabilities (e.g., those that are currently available or nearly available) and experimental capabilities (those subject to further technical development). The Geosat Workshop attempted to delineate geological parameters for oil, gas, and mineral exploration and for engineering and environmental geology. From these parameters, six major potential applications not available from current or past space technology (Landsat, and Skylab) are recognized. The geological parameters and corresponding potential Geosat capabilities are summarized.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7103748
• Report Number(s): TID-27689
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040100 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Reserves & Exploration-- (-1989)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580203* -- Geophysics-- Geophysical Survey Methods-- (1980-1989)
580400 -- Geochemistry-- (-1989)
AERIAL SURVEYING
COLOR
EARTH CRUST
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
IMAGES
INFRARED SURVEYS
MINERALS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REMOTE SENSING
RESOURCES
SATELLITES