Remote Sensing Fundamentals and Geological Applications

The acquisition of information about an object/phenomenon without making a physical contact with the object is defined as remote sensing. This module introduces the basic principles behind remote sensing including, but are not limited to, the fundamentals of electromagnetic radiations and their interactions with Earth’s surface and atmosphere, satellite missions, sensors, orbits, and applications, and how to process and interpret remote sensing datasets. This module also covers the use remote sensing data and methodology to extract compositional (i.e., lithologic) and structural information from remote sensing data.

Period:

• Two weeks (condensed module)
• Four weeks (full module)

Contents:

• Definitions
• Electromagnetic radiations
• Interactions of Electromagnetic waves with Earth’s surface and Atmosphere
• Acquisition of electronic images (Whisk-broom; Push-broom)
• Format of Electronic Imagery (Raster; Vector)
• Spectral Signature
• Resolution

o   Spatial

o   Spectral

o   Radiometric

o   Temporal

• Remote Sensing Systems

o   Orbits (Polar; Sun-synchronous)

o   Moderate to Fine-scale Coverage (Landsat; SPOT; ASTER; IRS; IKONOS; ORBVIEW)

o   Broad to Moderate-Scale Coverage (AVHRR; MODIS; SeaWIFS; MERIS; GRACE)

• Spectroscopy of Rocks and Minerals
• Spectral signature
• Image classifications
• Geologic mapping using remote sensing images:

o   Landsat TM

o   ASTER

• Applications of Remote Sensing

Participants will develop software-oriented skills on how to:

• Explore the benefits in applying remote sensing data and techniques in addressing geological problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the differences between remote sensing systems and their characteristics and limitations.
• Competently interpret, process and evaluate remotely sensed images.
• Extract lithological and structural data from remote sensing images.