Contribution of landsat imagery to the study of volcanic structures

The principal uses of Landsat imagery in volcanological studies are for regional reconnaisance, for the interpretation of large volcanic structures and to facilitate the comparison of structures in different parts of the world. Standard black and white single band prints and standard false colour composites are the cheapest and most readily available forms of Landsat imagery. However, standard Landsat images have a poorer resolution and lower information content than enhanced images. The most generally useful enhancement techniques for volcanic studies have proved to be destriping. contrast stretching and edge enhancement. Enhancement techniques are illustrated with examples of young volcanic structures from the Central Andes. The next few years should see significant advances in satellite remote sensing technology with higher resolution imagery (down to 10–30m) and imagery in a wider range of spectral bands becoming available.Paper presented at the Symposium Volcanoes of the Earth and Planets, held at the University of Lancaster, March 17, 1981.