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Application of Remote Sensing in Earth Science

Remote sensing uses sensors to acquire data without physical contact and has many applications in earth science. It can be used to map geology, identify rock types, detect minerals, and analyze geomorphological, structural, and geoenvironmental features. Thermal imaging detects differences in rock thermal properties. Synthetic Aperture Radar penetrates soil to image subsurface structures. Spectral analysis identifies mineral composition. Together with DEM data, remote sensing allows mapping of folds, faults, drainage patterns, and other landscape features over large areas to study geology and monitor environmental changes.

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Avighyan Chakraborty
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126 views

Application of Remote Sensing in Earth Science

Remote sensing uses sensors to acquire data without physical contact and has many applications in earth science. It can be used to map geology, identify rock types, detect minerals, and analyze geomorphological, structural, and geoenvironmental features. Thermal imaging detects differences in rock thermal properties. Synthetic Aperture Radar penetrates soil to image subsurface structures. Spectral analysis identifies mineral composition. Together with DEM data, remote sensing allows mapping of folds, faults, drainage patterns, and other landscape features over large areas to study geology and monitor environmental changes.

Uploaded by

Avighyan Chakraborty
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING IN EARTH SCIENCE

AVIPSHA CHAKRABORTY

ROLL NO: 01
C.U 3RD SEMESTER
“REMOTE SENSING IS DEFINED AS THE ACQUISITION OF INFORMATION ABOUT AN OBJECT WITHOUT
BEING IN PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH IT.”
-CHARLES ELACHI

Application of multispectral remote sensing in geology is wide, ranging from exploration of oil and
mineral,geomorphological-lithological-structural mapping studies related to geological engineering and
environmental geology to analysis of geo-hazard etc. Some of the uses are given below:

 Thermal Remote sensing in Geological Mapping:


For the discrimination of rock type and geological mapping thermal response of the rocks to temperature
change is used. In the nighttime image if there is high thermal inertia the signature of rock is brighter and
vice-versa . Because of difference in thermal inertia of the rock different warmer and cooler signature are
shown by anticlines and synclines. In both the day and night thermal image, the weak zones like faults and
fractures give cool linear anomalies.

 Microwave remote sensing data in Geological Mapping:


Microwave range of the electromagnetic spectrum is used by imaging radars i.e. about 1 cm to 1 m .
Information like shape, orientation, surface roughness and complex dielectric constant about surface
geometry are captured with the help of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Valuable information about
geological terrain like surface roughness, soil moisture, topography and drainage pattern are provided by
SAR. SAR can also provide information about in-situ rock type and sub-surface structure, because it has
limited capability to also penetrate through the soil cover.

 Lithological Mapping using Remote Sensing :


Lithology is study of physical characteristics of rocks. Remote sensing technique is highly used in these
studies. Nature of parent elements of rocks and internal molecular structure determine the spectral
signatures of rocks. Transitional metals such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr etc. are identified in visible and near
infrared region, hydroxyl ions, carbonates and water molecules are identified in short wavelength
infrared region. Abundant rock forming minerals like silicates, oxides, nitrates, nitrites and phosphates
cannot be recognized reflected region (0.4-3.0 ʯ m) of electromagnetic spectrum. For detection of the
minerals, thermal infrared region is used in different studies.

FIG 1:A GLOBAL LITHOLOGICAL MAP

 Structural Mapping:
Following criteria are used in structural mapping using remote sensing imagery. a) Attitude of Beds:
Attitude of bed comprises the direction of dip and strike, and amount of dip. By analyzing slope
asymmetry, land forms, drainage characteristics, amount of dip can be identified using by visual
interpretation of satellite image.
a) Attitude of Beds: Attitude of bed comprises the direction of dip and strike, and amount of dip. By analyzing
slope asymmetry, land forms, drainage characteristics, amount of dip can be identified
using by visual interpretation of satellite image.

b) Folds :By mapping the marker horizons, plunging, non-plunging and refolded folds can be identified on
the satellite data.
c) Linear Features: There is adequate possibility for the mapping of linear feature of geological elements like
lineaments, representing joints, fractures, faults, etc. with the help of remotely sensed data.

FIG 2 : LINEAMENT MAPPING USING REMOTE SENSING

 Geomorphological mapping:
With the time, geomorphological mapping achieved a new dimension as it gives information about large
region and repetitive coverage only with the advancement in new technology in the form of satellite
imagery. For geomorphological mapping satellite data can be collected from Landsat Multispectral Scanner
(MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM), SPOT HRV, IRSLISS, MOMS, KFA-200, KFA-1000, and SPOT HRV. Because
of narrow spectral bands which are suitable for mapping of bathymetry, vegetation, soil and rock,
Landsat TM and MSS data have been highly applicable for geomorphology mapping. Where bands 1 and 2
is used in bathymetry, band 2,3,4 and 5 is used in vegetation study, band 6 is used for soil and band 7 for
rock. ERS and Radarsat data are microwave data which has capacity to penetrate trough the cloud so these
data are also useful in geological mapping. Image fusion technique and GIS is used in mapping of coastal
landforms [Van Zuidam et al., (1994)]. Digital elevation model is emerging as a new tool for both
quantitative and qualitative geological mapping. DEM data are derived from LIDAR and stereoscopic
satellite data.

FIG 3:OXBOW LAKE IN SATELLITE IMAGERY

 Mineral exploration:
The processes of finding of ores i.e. commercial viable concentration of minerals are called as mineral
exploration. Because of synoptic view, multispectral and multi-temporal characteristics of remote sensing
data helps in rapidly mapping of minerals. Locations of altered area and regions of hydrothermal upwelling
and outflow zones, which are related to mineralization, can be mapped on remote sensing data.
Exploration, evaluation and genesis of mineral deposits can be done on high spatial and spectral resolution
data of remote sensing.In arid terrain mapping of minerals is very successful by using airborne
hyperspectral data.

FIG 4: MINERAL EXPLORATION USING REMOTE SENSING

 Geo engineering:

Geoengineering is the application of engineering in geological studies because geological factors affect the
location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of works related to engineering. Contribution of
remote sensing is tremendous in the field of engineering geology. Works like geological hazards
geotechnical, material properties, landslide, slope stability, erosion, flooding and seismic investigations are
performed by the engineering geologists.Construction and analysis of models like DEM is very important to
check the stability of engineering structure and also simulate the effect of engineering structure for
instance dam over terrain.

 Geo-environmental Studies :

Geo-environmental problem is mainly associated with the degradation of land, water, air and vegetation.
With the application of remotely sensed data, following geo-environmental studies are carried out. 
a) Open cast strip mining and land use change analysis. 
b) Underground mining and its resultant effects like subsidence.
c) Analysis of dumping grounds. 
d) Release of smoke, thermal plums and air pollutants from industries, power plants, and its discharge. 
e)Problem of erosion and deforestation in the catchment of river and sediment loads.
FIG 5: SOIL EROSION MAPPING USING REMOTE SENSING

CONCLUSION:
Applicability of remote sensing data in the field of geology is very high. With the advancement in the
various types of resolutions (spatial, spectral and temporal resolution) in satellite data, its utilization for
geological mapping increases. For instance, Landsat MSS to Landsat TM to SPOT HRV. Because of wide
coverage of area of interest ,advantage of satellite remote sensing is high, where, various useful
information about geological structure can be extracted.

SOURCES:
1]Sabins (1987)
2] Boardman et al (1995)
3]Gupta (1991)
4]Henderson ( 1998)

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