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At least 289 records · Page 16

Automated strip-mine and reclamation mapping from ERTS

The author has identified the following significant results. Computer processing techniques were applied to ERTS-1 computer-compatible tape (CCT) data acquired in August 1972 on the Ohio Power Company's coal mining operation in Muskingum County, Ohio. Processing results succeeded in automatically classifying, with an accuracy greater than 90%: (1) stripped earth and major sources of erosion; (2) partially reclaimed areas and minor sources of erosion; (3) water with sedimentation; (4) water without sedimentation; and (5) vegetation. Computer-generated tables listing the area in acres and square kilometers were produced for each target category. Processing results also included geometrically corrected map overlays, one for each target category, drawn on a transparent material by a pen under computer control. Each target category is assigned a distinctive color on the overlay to facilitate interpretation. The overlays, drawn at a scale of 1:250,000 when placed over an AMS map of the same area, immediately provided map locations for each target. These mapping products were generated at a tenth of the cost of conventional mapping techniques.

Rogers, R. H.↗

Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for mapping Quaternary deposits and landforms in the Great Plains and Midwest

The author has identified the following significant results. Maps at 1:1 million scale exemplifying the first phase of the investigation (which consists of the identification and mapping of landform and land use characteristics and surficial geologic materials directly from the ERTS-1 images without use of additional data) were prepared. For areas that have not been mapped at 1:500,000 or larger scales, maps will provide the first moderately detailed information on landform features and surficial materials. Much of the information mapped is significant for exploration and development of ground (and, locally, petroleum) and for applications in engineering and environmental geology, including land use planning. Analysis of drainage patterns, stream-divide relations and land use patterns has revealed several possible moraine-controlled divices of middle and early Pleistocene age. One is an extension of the Cedar Bluffs moraine of southeastern Nebraska. Another of these divides may correspond to the terminus of Nebraska drift in the Kansas City study area. The trends of parts of various ancient filled valleys also have been identified by analysis of charges in width of the present stream valleys. The alinements of certain segments of stream valleys in Kansas and Missouri appear to be controlled by regional faults or other structural features.

Morrison, R. B.↗

Land use maps of the Tanana and Purcell Mountain areas, Alaska, based on Earth Resources Technology Satellite imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS imagery in photographic format was used to make land use maps of two areas of special interest to native corporations under terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Land selections are to be made in these areas, and the maps should facilitate decisions because of their comprehensive presentation of resource distribution information. The ERTS images enabled mapping broadly-defined land use classes in large areas in a comparatively short time. Some aerial photography was used to identify colors and shades of gray on the various images. The 14 mapped land use categories are identified according to the classification system under development by the U.S. Geological Survey. These maps exemplify a series of about a dozen diverse Alaskan areas. The principal resource depicted is vegetation, and clearly shown are vegetation units of special importance, including stands possibly containing trees of commercial grade and stands constituting wildlife habitat.

Anderson, J. H.↗

SICLOPS - A system of computer programs for rectified mapping of airborne scanner imagery

This paper describes SICLOPS, a system of computer programs, which has been developed to perform geometrically corrected line-by-line mapping of airborne multispectral scanner data to ground coordinates and to estimate ground areas. As inputs, SICLOPS accepts aircraft attitude and positional information furnished by ancillary aircraft equipment, plus ground truth information giving the location, in map grid coordinates, of a number of recognizable landmarks on the ground. The geometric correction and mapping procedure locates the scan lines, or the pixels on each line, in terms of map grid coordinates. The area estimation procedure gives ground area for each pixel or for a predesignated parcel specified in map grid coordinates. The results of exercising the system with simulated data showed the uncorrected video and corrected imagery and produced area estimates accurate to better than 99.7%. Real input data, though prepared, have not yet been processed by the system.

Spencer, M. M.↗

Radar for small-scale land-use mapping

Small-scale (1:250,000 and smaller) land-use maps are a major concern not only to geographers but also to national and regional planners. Unfortunately, such maps are usually out of date by the time they are printed. An interpretation key consisting of five physical and cultural characteristics of the environment evident on radar imagery is used to create land-use regions. Regions and borders interpreted from radar are compared with those found on two existing land-use maps created by traditional methods. Radar imagery can be used to create a small-scale land-use map with regions comparable to those found on existing land-use maps. However, the radar regions depict something more than land use and should be termed rural landscape regions.

Henderson, F. M.↗

Investigation of selected imagery from SKYLAB/EREP S190 system for medium and small scale mapping

Satellite photography provided by the Skylab mission was investigated as a tool in planimetric mapping at medium and small scales over land surface in Canada. The main interest involved the potential usage of Skylab imagery for new and revision line mapping, photomapping possibilities, and the application of this photography as control for conventional high altitude aerial surveys. The results of six independent investigations clearly indicate that certain selected sets of this photography are adequate for planimetric mapping purposes at scales of 1:250,000 and smaller. In limited cases, the NATO planimetric accuracy requirements for Class B 1:50,000 scale mapping were also achieved. Of the S190A photography system, the camera containing the Pan X Aerial Black and White film offers the greatest potential to mapping at small scales. However, the S190B system continually proved to offer more versatility throughout the entire investigation.

Stewart, R. A.↗

Regional inventories and mapping of land resources and environmental geology using remotely sensed data

Black-and-white stereoscopic aerial photographs at a scale of 1:20,000, 1:40,000, and 1:65,000 and controlled aerial photo mosaics at a scale of 1:24,000 were the basic data utilized for most mapping. Color and color infrared aerial photography (1:20,000) was employed to man the barrier islands, and color infrared photography (1:120,000) was used to map sand and mud units of the coastal plain north of Houston. LANDSAT-1 imagery in Bands 4, 5, and 7 (1:250,000) was utilized to examine land use and certain resource units statewide. Side scanning radar and LANDSAT imagery were studied experimentally toward mapping land suitability units in carbonate terranes with high relief and certain other terranes. Large-scale color and color infrared aerial stereoscopic photographs supply the most information for regional mapping. black-and-white photography is the most practical data for mapping because of scale, complete coverage, availability, and relatively low cost.

Wermund, E. G.↗

Land use mapping and modelling for the Phoenix Quadrangle

The author has identified the following significant results. The mapping of generalized land use (level 1) from ERTS 1 images was shown to be feasible with better than 95% accuracy in the Phoenix quadrangle. The accuracy of level 2 mapping in urban areas is still a problem. Updating existing maps also proved to be feasible, especially in water categories and agricultural uses; however, expanding urban growth has presented with accuracy. ERTS 1 film images indicated where areas of change were occurring, thus aiding focusing-in for more detailed investigation. ERTS color composite transparencies provided a cost effective source of information for land use mapping of very large regions at small map scales.

Place, J. L.↗

Imaging radar applications to mapping and charting

The paper outlines the major actual and potential radar mapping applications, gives an account of the present state of satellite radar imaging, and reviews the radargrammetric work achieved since 1972. Attention is focused on the mapping methods and accuracy regarding single-image radar mapping, stereo radargrammetry, and mapping from blocks of overlapping imagery. It is recommended that more radargrammetric expertise be applied in radar mapping projects so that full advantage may be taken of the metric information potential of imaging radar.

Leberl, F.↗

Conformal mappings for computations of steady, three-dimensional, supersonic flows

The evaluation of steady, supersonic, three-dimensional inviscid flows is considered, taking into account the construction of suitable grids on the basis of a simple conformal mapping. A description is presented of an analytical mapping technique. The technique is illustrated with the aid of examples of mappings, involving nontrivial geometries. Attention is given to a wing-fuselage cross section, a FORTRAN program for the basic mapping, the coupling of mappings, and the equations of motion.

Moretti, G.↗

Quaternary geologic map of Minnesota

The Quaternary Geologic Map of Minnesota is a compilation based both on the unique characteristics of satellite imagery and on the results of previous field investigations, both published and unpublished. The use of satellite imagery has made possible the timely and economical construction of this map. LANDSAT imagery interpretation proved more useful than expected. Most of the geologic units could be identified by extrapolating from specific sites where the geology had been investigated into areas where little was known. The excellent geographic registry coupled with the multi-spectral record of these images served to identify places where the geologic materials responded to their ecological environment and where the ecology responded to the geologic materials. Units were well located on the map at the scale selected for the study. Contacts between till units could be placed with reasonable accuracy. The reference points that were used to project delineations between units (rivers, lakes, hills, roads and other features), which had not been accurately located on early maps, could be accurately located with the help of the imagery. The tonal and color contrasts, the patterns reflecting geologic change and the resolution of the images permitted focusing attention on features which could be represented at the final scale of the map without distraction by other interesting but site-specific details.

Goebel, J. E.↗

Quantification of soil mapping by digital analysis of LANDSAT data

Soil survey mapping units are designed such that the dominant soil represents the major proportion of the unit. At times, soil mapping delineations do not adequately represent conditions as stated in the mapping unit descriptions. Digital analysis of LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data provides a means of accurately describing and quantifying soil mapping unit composition. Digital analysis of LANDSAT MSS data collected on 9 June 1973 was used to prepare a spectral soil map for a 430-hectare area in Clinton County, Indiana. Fifteen spectral classes were defined, representing 12 soil and 3 vegetation classes. The 12 soil classes were grouped into 4 moisture regimes based upon their spectral responses; the 3 vegetation classes were grouped into one all-inclusive class.

Kirschner, F. R.↗

Use of LANDSAT-1 data for the detection and mapping of saline seeps in Montana

The author has identified the following significant results. April, May, and August are the best times to detect saline seeps. Specific times within these months would be dependent upon weather, phenology, and growth conditions. Saline seeps can be efficiently and accurately mapped, within resolution capabilities, from merged May and August LANDSAT 1 data. Seeps were mapped by detecting salt crusts in the spring and indicator plants in the fall. These indicator plants were kochia, inkweed, and foxtail barley. The total hectares of the mapped saline seeps were calculated and tabulated. Saline seeps less than two hectares in size or that have linear configurations less than 200 meters in width were not mapped using the LANDSAT 1 data. Saline seep signatures developed in the Coffee Creek test site were extended to map saline seeps located outside this area.

May, G. A.↗

Eulusmap: An international land resources map utilizing satellite imagery

In 1972, the International Geographical Union's Commission on World Land Use Survey adopted a project for a land-use map of Europe. Such a map, under the name Eulusmap was started earlier under sponsorship of several government offices in Hungary. Although there was great response from a number of contributors in many countries, it became evident by mid-1974 that the map would contain gaps and some inaccuracies unless additional data sources were utilized. By then, the satellite Landsat-1 had obtained imagery of most of Europe. Using theme extraction techniques, the map was completed in draft form and portions of it displayed at the 23d International Geographical Congress in Moscow during July 1976. Printing of the completed map was accomplished in May 1978.

Paludan, T.↗

Spatial land-use inventory, modeling, and projection/Denver metropolitan area, with inputs from existing maps, airphotos, and LANDSAT imagery

A landscape model was constructed with 34 land-use, physiographic, socioeconomic, and transportation maps. A simple Markov land-use trend model was constructed from observed rates of change and nonchange from photointerpreted 1963 and 1970 airphotos. Seven multivariate land-use projection models predicting 1970 spatial land-use changes achieved accuracies from 42 to 57 percent. A final modeling strategy was designed, which combines both Markov trend and multivariate spatial projection processes. Landsat-1 image preprocessing included geometric rectification/resampling, spectral-band, and band/insolation ratioing operations. A new, systematic grid-sampled point training-set approach proved to be useful when tested on the four orginal MSS bands, ten image bands and ratios, and all 48 image and map variables (less land use). Ten variable accuracy was raised over 15 percentage points from 38.4 to 53.9 percent, with the use of the 31 ancillary variables. A land-use classification map was produced with an optimal ten-channel subset of four image bands and six ancillary map variables. Point-by-point verification of 331,776 points against a 1972/1973 U.S. Geological Survey (UGSG) land-use map prepared with airphotos and the same classification scheme showed average first-, second-, and third-order accuracies of 76.3, 58.4, and 33.0 percent, respectively.

Tom, C.↗

Automatic color map digitization by spectral classification

A method of converting polygon map information into a digital form which does not require manual tracing of polygon edges is discussed. The maps must be in color-coded format with a unique color for each category in the map. Color scanning using a microdensitometer is employed and a three-channel color separation digital data set is generated. The digital data are then classified by using a Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier, and the resulting digitized map is evaluated. Very good agreement is observed between the classified and original map.

Chu, N. Y.↗

A comparison of high resolution radio and far-infrared maps of M 17

New 3.5-cm radio and 69-micron far-infrared maps of M17, both made with an angular resolution of about 1.5 arcmin, are presented. Each map has three distinct maxima. Two of the maxima on the far-IR map agree in position with the corresponding maxima on the radio map. However, the positions of the brightest peak in the radio and far-infrared maps, located in the SW part of M17, differ by 4.6 + or - 2.2 s in right ascension and +44 + or - 20 sec in declination, with the far-infrared peak lying between the radio peak and the dense molecular cloud southwest of the H II region. It is believed that the positional offset of the radio and far-infrared peak is physically significant. The origin of the far-infrared radiation appears to be thermal emission from dust at the interface of the ionized gas and molecular cloud. This interface region is probably heated by radiation from the H II region.

Wilson, T. L.↗

Map characteristics of Landsat mosaics

Map characteristics of the Landsat mosaics developed at JPL are considered. Procedures for digital mosaicking of Landsat frames to standard map projections were used to mosaic at full resolution ten scenes over the California desert region and twenty-one scenes over Arizona. The procedures are analyzed for horizontal positioning error (global and local) and the potential for classification error associated with the adjustment of brightness of Z values between frames; the use of this technology for the mapping of extensive features is discussed. Mosaicking facilities, techniques, mapping accuracy, and thematic mapping characteristics are described. A comparative analysis of Landsat mosaicking technology developed at Goddard Space Flight Center, IBM Gaithersburg, and USGS Flagstaff is made, and suggestions are given for algorithm development to improve systems capacity and ability to handle a variety of cases.

Zobrist, A. L.↗