Assessing image processing techniques for geological mapping: a case study in Eljufra,Libya

Various image processing techniques were experimented with in this study to evaluate their efficiency for geological mapping in the Eljufra area of northwest Libya. Remote sensing data including multi-spectral optical Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+), Synthetic Aperture Radar (ERS-2 SAR) and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) extracted from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were used to trace different lithological units as well as extracting geological lineaments in the study area. The study area is located in an arid environment mostly devoid of any vegetation. Most lithological and structural units are distinguishable based on their topographic form and spectral properties. Fusion of ETM+ and ERS-2 images was experimented with to further identify lithological units. Shaded relief techniques were implemented to enhance terrain perspective views and to extract geological lineaments. The results discriminated different rock units and modified formation boundaries and revealed new geological lineaments. Nine rock units were identified and plotted in the new geological map defined by the new boundaries. The dominant lineaments tend to run in the NNW-SSE and NNE-SSW directions. Analysis and interpretation of the lineaments provided information about the tectonic evolution of the study area.     

Integrating data from remote sensing,geology and gravity for geological investigation in the Tarhunah area,Northwest Libya

Abstract

The present work deals with the integration of remote-sensing, surface-geology and gravity-survey data to improve the structural knowledge of the Tarhunah area, northwest Libya. Geological information and remote-sensing data provided information about the surface structure. A gravity survey was conducted to decipher the subsurface structure. The results revealed that a basin having a width of 39 to 48 km trends NE. A two-dimensional (2-D) schematic model shows that the basin gradually deepens toward the southwest. Faults determined from a horizontal gradient, tilt derivative, and Euler deconvolution show a depth range of 2.5 to 7.5 km. The integration and interpretation of the results indicate that volcanic activity was related to the tectonic activity of an anticlinal structure called the Jabal Uplift.     

Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones of a Tropical River Basin (Kerala,India) Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

The present work accentuated the expediency of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) applications in groundwater studies, especially in the identification of groundwater potential zones in Ithikkara River Basin (IRB), Kerala, India. The information on geology, geomorphology, lineaments, slope and land use/land cover was gathered from Landsat ETM + data and Survey of India (SOI) toposheets of scale 1:50,000 in addition, GIS platform was used for the integration of various themes. The composite map generated was further classified according to the spatial variation of the groundwater potential. Four categories of groundwater potential zones namely poor, moderate, good and very good were identified and delineated. The hydrogeomorphological units like valley fills and alluvial plain and are potential zones for groundwater exploration and development and valley fills associated with lineaments is highly promising area for groundwater extraction. The spatial variation of the potential indicates that groundwater occurrence is controlled by geology, structures, slope and landforms.     

Terrain characterization using SRTM data

Earth’s surface possesses relief because the geomorphic processes operate at different rates, and geologic structure plays a dominant role in the evolution of landforms (Thornbury, 1954). The spatial pattern of relief yields the topographic mosaic of a terrain and is normally extracted from the topographical maps which are available at various scales. As cartographic abstractions are scale dependent, topographical maps are rarely good inputs for terrain analysis. Currently, the shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) provides one of the most complete, highest resolution digital elevation model (DEM) of the Earth. It is an ideal data-set for precise terrain analysis and topographic characterization in terms of the nature of altimetric distribution, relief aspects, patterns of lineaments and surface slope, topographic profiles and their visualisation, correlation between geology and topography, hypsometric attributes and finally, the hierarchy of terrain sub-units. The present paper extracts the above geomorphic features and terrain character of part of the Chotonagpur plateau and the Dulung River basin therein using SRTM data.     

Application of DEM,Remote Sensing and Geomorphic Studies in Identifying a Recent [or perhaps Neogene?] Upwarp in the Dibru River Basin,Assam, India

The Dibru river basin of Assam is investigated to examine the influence of active structure by applying an integrated study on geomorphology, morphotectonics, subsurface structure, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) using topographic map, IRS 1D LISS III, IRS P6 LISS III, SRTM, seismic and subsurface data. Seismic data reveals existence of an upwarp and an important fault in the basement around the central and eastern parts of the Dibru basin, respectively. The influence of these structures is well observed on all the younger formations inferring their active nature possibly till the Recent Period. Existence of fluvial anomalies, viz. annular drainage pattern, lineaments, abrupt changes in the direction of river course, beheaded stream and valley incision infer role of structural control on the fluvial features of this basin. Most commonly used indices for morphotectonic analysis, viz. basin elongation ratio (Re), transverse topographic symmetry (T), asymmetric factor (AF), valley floor width to valley height ratio (Vf) have been used to identify the evidences of active structures in the area. The values of Re indicated tectonically active, T indicated an asymmetric nature, AF indicated tilting and Vf indicated active incision in the Dibru basin. The DEM, profiles across the valley and superimposed longitudinal profiles of incised channel bed and valley shoulder of the Dibru clearly reveal valley incision by the river. Three large paleochannels located in different parts of the basin had their headwaters towards east at the common source, i.e. the Diyun river. These paleochannels had been resulted when their headwaters avulsed to create new rivers due to affect of the subsurface structures during Recent (or perhaps Neogene?) Period.     

Comparison of basin morphometry derived from topographic maps,ASTER and SRTM DEMs: an example from Kerala,India

The drainage network of a sixth-order tropical river basin, viz. Ithikkara river basin, was extracted from different sources such as Survey of India topographic maps (1: 50,000; TOPO) and digital elevation data of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) (30 m) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping Mission (SRTM) (90 m). Basin morphometric attributes were estimated to evaluate the accuracy of the digital elevation model (DEM)-derived drainage networks for hydrologic applications as well as terrain characterization. The stream networks derived from ASTER and SRTM DEMs show significant agreement (with slight overestimation of lower order streams) with that of TOPO. The study suggests that SRTM (despite the coarser spatial resolution) provides better results, in drainage delineation and basin morphometry, compared to ASTER. Further, the variability of basin morphometry among the data sources might be attributed to spatial variation of elevation, raster grid size and vertical accuracy of the DEMs as well as incapability of the surface hydrologic analysis functions in the GIS platform.     

Mapping of Prerift — Synrift sedimentary units using enhanced thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+): Sidri — Feiran area,southwestern Sinai Peninsula,Egypt

Different outcropping sedimentary rock units, ranging in age from Paleozoic to Miocene, can provide significant information to understand the development of tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Sidri — Feiran area, southwestern Sinai Peninsula. The aim of this research is to test the ability of Landsat ETM+ imagery for differentiating and mapping these units with the help of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and field investigations. For this purpose, true and false colour composite images, image enhancement techniques (Principle Component Analysis and Minimum Noise Fraction), and 3D perspective views were applied to the data and the geological-photo interpretations were carried out.     

沉积盆地早期评价中边界圈定的综合方法研究

中国仍有数百个盆地处于早期的油气勘探阶段,开展盆地早期评价方法研究具有十分重要的意义。本文介绍了在盆地早期评价中进行盆地边界综合研究的方法技术,指出盆地边界综合研究包括盆地的构造样式分析、物探资料处理解释、遥感结合物探资料综合圈定盆地边界等三个主要步骤。文中指出,在盆地边界的研究中,应以遥感技术为主要手段进行综合分析的思路。文中还介绍了百色盆地边界圈定的应用实例。     

Spatial variation in elephant impact on the Zambezi teak forest in the Chobe national park,Botswana

Abstract

Tectonic mapping and geologic evolution of a region were historically conducted on the basis of field observations. After the advent of remote sensing technology, tectonic mapping became much easier and structural mapping through imagery has gained credibility and suitability in regional mapping, tectonic evolution and modeling. In this regard, an attempt has been made to make use of the satellite technology to bring out the structural trends and the fracture/lineament pattern in Biligirirangan region of Northern Tamil Nadu through satellite remote sensing. The folded architecture in Biligirirangan region has evolved from structural trends. The subsurface structures of the region were derived through resistivity contours and resistivity images created by GIS software.

The surficial information derived from the satellite imagery and subsurface structures derived from the resistivity contours and images were integrated with field observations. This integration has given a clear tectonic picture of the Biligirirangan region and the tectonic structures were then analysed for tectonic forces, evolution and modeling.

The study determined that the Structural trends were mostly in a N‐S direction and the folds were of isoclinal type with alternating synclinal and anticlinal folds of an easterly dipping nature. These folds in conjunction with the lineaments have brought out the palaeostress pattern of the Biligirirangan region. The study further suggests that the regional compressive force trending in ENE‐WSW direction was responsible for the present configuration of folds. In addition, the study also focuses the efficacy of the satellite imagery in tectonic analysis and the resistivity contours and images for the subsurface structural analysis.     

GeoHyp: an adaptive human interface for geologic maps and their databases

A geologic map is typically a 2D representation of 3D subsurface structures in a given area. It is based on the currently accepted geologists' model explaining the observed phenomena and the processes that shaped them in the geologic past. For historical reasons, this model is recorded in a geologic map with an explanatory booklet that describes the authors' conclusions as well as relevant field observations and other data such as tectonic measurements, drill hole logs or fossil records. Today, however, this variety of information can be better handled by converting it into digital and even hypermedial format. This necessitates the prior conception, development and implementation of a suitable geologic “hypermap model”. The main objective of this study is to design models and tools well-suited for the interaction between users and geologic hypermaps. The unique aspect of this family of applications is that users, in general, are both end-users (e.g., engineers) and designers (e.g., mapmakers). Objectives, concepts and methods for developing a human interface to geologic hypermaps have been tested using a prototype (i.e., GeoHyp) within the GIS environment of ArcView from ESRI. Tools to access the underlying background database via hyperlinks have been implemented, as well as functions especially developed to meet specific geologic requirements. Tests with various types of users have shown that the prototype matches their expectations and serves as a good basis for further development. In this article, we report on our design choices for GeoHyp and the current status of our project.     

Application of satellite — based rainfall products and SRTM DEM in hydrological modelling of Brahmaputra basin

Hydrological modelling of large river catchments is a challenging task for water resources engineers due to its complexity in collecting and handling of both spatial and non-spatial data such as rainfall, gauge discharges, and topographic parameters. In this paper an attempt has been made to use satellite-based rainfall products such as Climatic Prediction Centre (CPC)-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data for hydrological modelling of larger catchment where the limited field rainfall data is available. Digital Elevation Models (DEM) such as Global DEM (1 km resolution) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 3-arc second (90 m resolution) DEM have been used to extract topographic parameters of the basin for hydrological modelling of the study area. Various popular distributed models have been used in this study for computing excess rainfall, direct runoff from each sub-basin, and flow routing to the main outlet. The Brahmaputra basin, which is very complex both hydraulically and hydrologically due to its shape, size, and geographical location, has been examined as study area in this study. A landuse map derived from the satellite remote sensing data in conjunction with DEM and soil textural maps have been used to derive various basin and channel characteristics such as each sub-basin and channel slope, roughness coefficients, lag-time. Percentage of residual flows computed between observed flows and simulated flows using Global and SRTM DEMs are discussed. It is found that the topographic parameters computed using SRTM DEM could improve the model accuracy in computing flood hydrograph. Need of using better resolution satellite data products and the use of high-density field discharge observations is discussed.     

Evaluation and integration of ERS-1-SAR and optical sensor data (TM and IRS) for geological investigations

The C-band imaging radar of ERS-1, due to its high sensitivity to terrain surface features, holds tremendous potential in topographic terrain mapping for various applications. This is being examined for geological applications, mainly structural and lithological mapping in a mineral belt of Bihar and Orissa, India. The high image contrast that facilitates structural interpretation and highlights topography on the SAR images, reflects the high sensitivity of the ERS-1-SAR to change in terrain slope in the study area. Extensive lineaments, fold structure and major lithological contacts are easily mappable from the SAR imagery. Many of the lineaments, lithological contacts and fold pattern are mapped equally from optical data (Landsat-TM and IRS-1B FCC). The close association of fold pattern and mineral deposits in the region has necessitated the study of those structures carefully from various remote sensing data products. Synergism between SAR and TM provided useful results regarding structure and lithology of the region. The advantage of SAR in highlighting topography and detecting lineaments are affected to a great extent by the speckle noise and low pixel resolution. The present study shows that future geologic interpretation demands high spatial resolution and efficient data processing technique which reduces the speckle noise more significantly.     

遥感图像线性体统计数据在塔里木盆地北部油气勘探中的应用及效果

利用遥感图像的线性体统计数据进行塔北地区油气勘查十分有效。该区遥感图像上线性体主要以北东向、北西向及近东西向为主,与区域构造线一致。线性体密度异常与局部含油气圈闭空间分布上具有很好的一致性,线性体密度异常区与已知油气田和工业油气井的吻合程度为62.5%.本文主要介绍；①通过线性体统计分析所获得的塔北地区区域构造信息,②通过线性体数据处理获得的线性体密度异常的分布特征和类型；③线性体统计分析在油气勘探方面的应用前景。     

Monitoring levels of cyanobacterial blooms using the visual cyanobacteria index (VCI) and floating algae index (FAI)

Cyanobacterial bloom is a growing environmental problem in inland waters. In this study, we propose a method for monitoring levels of cyanobacterial blooms from Landsat/ETM+ images. The visual cyanobacteria index (VCI) is a simple index for in-situ visual interpretation of cyanobacterial blooms levels, by classifying them into six categories based on aggregation (e.g., subsurface blooms, surface scum). The floating algae index (FAI) and remote sensing reflectance in the red wavelength domain, which can be obtained from Landsat/ETM+ images, were related to the VCI for estimating cyanobacteria bloom levels from the Landsat/ETM+ images. Nine field campaigns were carried out at Lakes Nishiura and Kitaura (Lake Kasumigaura group), Japan, from June to August 2012. We also collected reflectance spectra at 20 stations for different VCI levels on August 3, 2012. The reflectance spectra were recalculated in correspondence to each ETM+ band, and used to calculate the FAI. The FAI values were then used to determine thresholds for classifying cyanobacterial blooms into different VCI levels. These FAI thresholds were validated using three Landsat/ETM+ images. Results showed that FAI values differed significantly at the respective VCI levels except between levels 1 and 2 (subsurface blooms) and levels 5 and 6 (surface scum and hyperscum). This indicated that the FAI was able to detect the high level of cyanobacteria that forms surface scum. In contrast, the Landsat/ETM+ band 3 reflectance could be used as an alternative index for distinguishing surface scum and hyperscum. Application of the thresholds for VCI classifications to three Landsat/ETM+ images showed that the volume of cyanobacterial blooms can be effectively classified into the six VCI levels.     

Delineation and assessment of Central Indian Suture through lineament extraction approach using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System

Lineament extraction approach allowed mapping of larger number of lineaments in a classical manner in tectonic and structural studies. In the present study, various techniques were adopted to extract lineaments using Landsat ETM+ images. To remove the biasness of the images, some pre-processing techniques like stream ordering, band differencing, colour texturing were employed to enhance the edges of the structural features. Extracted lineaments and its distribution and orientation were mapped using ArcGIS Spatial analyst tool. Results of the study showed maximum number of lineaments were oriented in the ENE–SWS direction with 63° overall inclination. Accuracy assessment and validation were made with respect to visual interpretation and overlaying the lineament on Digital Topographic Model as well as with respect to an existing geological lineament map of the study site. The result of accuracy assessment indicates higher compatibility of Central Indian Suture with the geological map of the study area.     

Identification of groundwater prospective zones using irs-id liss iii and pump test methods

The role of hydrogeomorphological units and lineaments in the storage of groundwater from the Muvattupuzha river basin has been investigated using IRS ID LISS III data. Other than the usual water bodies such as river course, reservoirs and ponds, the major hydrogeomorphological units identified in this basin in the descending order of their groundwater potential are: valley fills, moderately dissected plateau, pediments, residual mounts, residual mount complex, linear ridges, residual hills and structural hills. Majority of the lineaments trends in NW-SE and WNW-ESE directions. Even though the eastern part of the basin is characterised by moderate to high lineament density, the above area is found to be poor to moderate groundwater prospect zone because of high gradient and structural hills. The pump test analyses of dug wells from different hydrogeomorphic units also confirm that valley fills are the most promising unit for groundwater prospecting than the rest.     

Mapping the mega paleodrainage basin using shuttle radar topography mission in Eastern Sahara and its impact on the new development projects in Southern Egypt

In the current study, the shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) data, with ～90 m horizontal resolution, were used to delineate the paleodrainage system and their mega basin extent in the East Sahara area. One mega-drainage basin has been detected, covering an area of 256 000 km2. It is classified into two sub mega basins. The Uweinate sub mega basin, which is composed of four main tributaries, collected water from a vast catchment region and drained eastward from the north, west, and southwest, starting at highland areas. The first subwatershed basin is in the northern plateau, south of the Abu-Balas area, with a total catchment area of 25 045 km2. The second subwatershed is in the Gilf Kebir plateau and has a total catchment area of 38 257 km2. The third subwatershed drains from the Uweinate highlands and has a catchment area of 46 154 km2. The fourth subwatershed, which is known in literature as Wadi Mokhtafi in its upper reach and Wadi Arid in its lower reach, drains the northwestern highlands of Sudan and has a total catchment area of 28 653 km2. The Tushka sub mega basin includes one watershed that drains from the northeast highlands of Sudan and has a total catchment area of 63 019 km2. The Uweinate and Tushka sub mega basins are joined together to the North of the Tushka depression, which drains northward toward the Kharga depression. This study indicates that the Eastern Sahara Mega Basin is a closed hydrological system independent of the other drainage systems, such as the Nile hydrosystem and the Qena Valley system. The present research illustrates the capability of the SRTM data in mapping the paleochannel networks, as well as estimate the catchment area and direction of the water flow. Finally, the study reveals that the four areas could be potentially used for different reclamation activities due to the ground water accumulations possibilities.     

建设黄河“智能大脑”服务流域生态保护和高质量发展

本文首先介绍了黄河流域水文、地理景观和地貌特征,下游河道变迁和河口变迁历史及生态治理,流域历史水旱灾害等基本背景,分析了黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展面临的主要问题和具有的优势。然后重点论述黄河“智能大脑”如何服务流域保护和发展,提出黄河“智能大脑”三要素,即感知系统（天地一体智能感知网）、存储管理系统（资源池）和操作系统（时空大数据平台）;论述了流域一体化时空大数据中心的构成及其基本功能,时空大数据平台及其目标要求,分析并提出了基于网格集成与弹性云的混合式时空大数据平台技术体制和构建技术,提出采用“共用时空大数据平台+”应用概念模型及其具体应用模式。最后讨论了时空大数据平台服务黄河流域城市数字化、网络化和智能化,加强流域上中下游7大城市群的新型智慧城市建设,推动流域生态保护和社会经济发展,提出基于流域时空大数据平台构建服务保护和发展的综合科技信息咨询服务平台,支撑流域协同创新共同体构建,增强流域整体性和协同性发展。     

利用SRTM绘制东Sahara大型古排水盆地及其对南埃及新发展计划的影响(英文)

In the current study, the shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) data, with～90 m horizontal resolution, were used to delineate the paleodrainage system and their mega basin extent in the East Sahara area. One mega-drainage basin has been detected, covering an area of 256 000 km2. It is classified into two sub mega basins. The Uweinate sub mega basin, which is composed of four main tributaries, collected water from a vast catchment region and drained eastward from the north, west, and southwest, starting at...     

Identification and analysis of groundwater potential zones in Ken–Betwa river linking area using remote sensing and geographic information system

The use of remote sensing data with other ancillary data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment is useful to delineate groundwater potential zonation map of Ken–Betwa river linking area of Bundelkhand. Various themes of information such as geomorphology, land use/land cover, lineament extracted from digital processing of Landsat (ETM+) satellite data of the year 2005 and drainage map were extracted from survey of India topographic sheets, and elevation, slope data were generated from shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) digital elevation model (DEM). These themes were overlaid to generate groundwater potential zonation (GWPZ) map of the area. The final map of the area shows different zones of groundwater prospects, viz., good (5.22% of the area), moderate (65.83% of the area) poor (15.31% of the area) and very poor (13.64% of area).