Geoscience, or the study of the Earth, is broken into a broad spectrum of specialized sub disciplines, including geology, mineralogy, volcanology, petrology, geochemistry,  geophysics, geomorphology, paleontology, stratigraphy, structural geology, engineering geology, sedimentology, edaphology, and pedology. These classifications include scientific researchers concerned with identification of the physical characteristics of materials such as rocks, minerals, and chemical compositions found on the Earth’s surface.

Remote sensing technology is an effective and widely established analytical method for geology and mineral exploration, and has proven extremely beneficial by providing access to dangerous or previously inaccessible sites.  Aerial imagery acquired from hyperspectral and multispectral imaging sensors such as Landsat, ASTER, AVIRIS, HyMap and Hyperion is applied to geological surveys, alteration zones mapping, and geomorphology applications. Satellite imagery correlated with ground truth data is also used for assessments of change due to natural events such as volcanic eruptions, floods, and earthquakes. and to indicate subtle shifts in mineralogical composition. The important aspects of these studies are supported by ground truth data collected with field portable spectroradiometers.

ASD designed the FieldSpec® spectroradiometer and TerraSpec® spectrometer systems to offer multiple configurations, resolution levels, and accessories for the collection of laboratory-quality field spectra. They feature a flexible wavelength range that covers the visible and near-infrared regions, and are ideal for measurements involving absorption and reflectance of solar radiation. Data from these highly portable field instruments is compatible with popular image analysis software packages such as ENVI, ERMapper, ERDAS Imagine and MultiSpec, allowing you to easily build focused and detailed spectral libraries tailored to your application requirements. Bringing a level of field-based portability that only ASD can provide, the FieldSpec® instruments are a technical tool that helps you work in sites located in some of the most remote areas of the planet.

Examples of remote sensing geology research utilizing ASD instrumentation can be found in the links below.

Exploration Case Study: Goldfield, Nevada

Airborne Hyperspectral Mapping Case Study: Dragon Mine, Tintic District, Utah

Environmental Case Study: Bauer Mill Site, Utah

Environmental Case Study: Coeur D'Alene River Basin Project

Environmental Case Study: International Smelter Emissions, Utah

Pipestone Provenance: Sourcing Prehistoric Pipestone Artifacts Within Museum Collections Using Reflectance Spectroscopy

Clay Mineral Analysis of the USGS Cannon Park Core (CHN-800) Using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectra, Charleston, South Carolina

Studying the Potential for Monitoring Colorado River Ecosystem Resources Below Glen Canyon Dam Using Low-Altitude AVIRIS Data

For more information about the FieldSpec® spectroradiometers and TerraSpec® spectrometer used in studies of the composition, material, structure, processes, and history of the earth select the links below.