Apollo 12 soil and breccia
Apollo 12 lunar soil and breccia core tube and surface samples optical and electron microscope and microprobe analysis, relating data to geologic processes
Clanton, U. S.↗
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Geologic evaluation of remote sensing data, site 157, Awza-Borrego Desert, California
Remote sensing data were obtained at site 157 in May 1968 under mission 73 of the NASA aircraft program. The site is located in an area of high temperatures and extreme aridity immediately west of the Imperial Valley, Southern California. Site 157 is partially surrounded by pre-Cenozoic crystalline rocks exposed in the Fish Creek, Vallecito, and Tierra Blanca Mountains. The study area itself is underlain by more than 20,000 feet of sedimentary strata of late Cenozoic age.
Wolfe, E. W.↗
To evaluate ERTS-1 data for usefulness as a geological sensor in the diverse geological terranes of New York State
The author has identified the following significant results. In the present imagery, obtained during the full foliage of summer and fall, the greatest amount of spectral geology is displayed in the Adirondack region where bedrock geology is strongly linked to topography. Of the four spectral bands imaged, band 5 and 7 provide the most geological information. The boundary between the basement rocks of the Adirondack Dome and the surrounding Lower Paleozoic rocks is well delineated except in the Northwest Lowlands and along parts of the eastern Adirondacks. Within the basement complex, the most prominently displayed features are numerous north-northeast trending faults and topographic lineaments, and arcuate east-west valleys developed in some of the weaker metasedimentary rocks. The majority of the faults and lineaments shown on the geologic map of New York appear in the ERTS-1 imagery. In addition, many new linears were detected, as well as a number of anomalous curvilinear elements, some circular in plan and measuring up to 25 km in diameter, which do not bear any clear relationship to mapped geological contacts. The possibility that it is an astrobleme will be investigated after snow melts in the spring.
Isachsen, Y. W.↗
To evaluate ERTS-1 data for usefulness as a geological sensor in the diverse geological terranes of New York State
There are no author-identified significant results in this report.
Isachsen, Y. W.↗
To evaluate ERTS-1 data for usefulness as a geological sensor in the diverse geological terraines of New York State
The author has identified the following significant results. Linear anomalies dominate the new geological information derived from ERTS-1 imagery, total lengths now exceeding 6000 kms. Experimentation with a variety of viewing techniques suggests that conventional photogeologic analyses of band 7 results in the location of more than 97 percent of all linears found. Bedrock lithologic types are distinguishable only where they are topographically expressed or govern land use signatures. The maxima on rose diagrams for ERTS-1 anomalies correspond well with those for mapped faults and topographic lineaments, despite a difference in relative magnitudes of maxima thought due to solar illumination direction. A multiscale analysis of linears showed that single topographic linears at 1:2,500,000 became dashed jugate linears at 1:500,000, and shorter linears lacking any conspicuous zonal alignment at 1:250,000. Most circular features found were explained away by U-2 airphoto analysis but several remain as anomalies. Visible glacial features include individual drumlins, best seen in winter imagery, drumlinoids, eskers, ice-marginal drainage channels, glacial lake shorelines and sand plains, and end moraines.
Isachsen, Y. W.↗
To evaluate ERTS-1 data for usefulness as a geological sensor in the diverse geological terranes of New York State
There are no author-identified significant results in this report.
Isachsen, Y. W.↗
Preliminary utilization of Iran's ERTS-1 data in the field of geology and water resources
Preliminary analysis of a number of selected ERTS-1 images undertaken in the fields of geology and water resources for the purpose of testing its applicability and usefulness for mapping the natural resources of Iran identified a number of geologic and hydrologic phenomena, such as previously unknown faults, streams, and lakes. Due to a number of limiting factors, the results of this study are by no means conclusive; yet, the encouraging results obtained demonstrate the importance of satellite imagery for multidisciplinary resource analysis purposes in Iran.
Akhavi, M. S.↗
Geological applications of Nimbus radiation data in Middle East
Plateaus of Eocene limestone and exposed limestone escarpments, in Egypt and Saudi Arabia respectively, were indicated by cool brightness temperatures T sub B (less than 240 to 265 K) by the Nimbus 5 electrically scanning microwave radiometer (ESMR) over a 2-year period. Nubian sandstone, desert eolian sand and igneous metamorphic rocks were differentiated from these limestone areas by warm T sub B values (more than 265 to 300 K). Cool T sub B values in the form of a V were found over broad areas of the Nile Valley and in the western desert of central Egypt. Similar cool T sub B values were shown over limestone-dolomitic hills of the interior Homocline and the Hadramawt plateau of Saudi Arabia. Nimbus 5 and 6 ESMR T sub B values selectively identified intermediate dense rock types (limestone versus sandstone/granite) in the Lake Nasser region whose thermal inertia ranged from 0.035 to 0.06 cal cm to minus 2 C sec 1/2 to minus one half.
Allison, L. J.↗
Geological applications of Nimbus radiation data in the Middle East
Large plateaus of Eocene limestone and exposed limestone escarpments, in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, respectively, were indicated by cool brightness temperatures recorded by the Nimbus-5 electrically scanning microwave radiometer (ESMR), over a 2-year period. Nubian sandstone, desert eolian sand, and igneous-metamorphic rock of the Pliocene, Miocene, Oligocene, and Cretaceous periods were differentiated from these limestone areas by warm T sub B values. These brightness temperature differences are a result of seasonal in-situ ground temperatures and differential emissivity of limestone and sand, sandstone and granite, whose dielectric constants are 6 to 8.9 and 2.9 and 4.2 to 5.3, respectively, at 19.35 GHz.
Allison, L. J.↗
LANDSAT data: A new perspective for geology. A review of the utilization of LANDSAT imagery for geological interpretation
Areas in which LANDSAT satellite imagery were found most useful include regional interpretations of geological structure, updating verifying of geologic maps, mineral and petroleum exploration, and the monitoring of natural hazards such as large-scale erosion and seismicity. Investigations in these areas of application demonstrated the wide variety of uses presently undertaken or envisioned for the future.
Baker, R. N.↗
Considerations concerning future satellite experiments
Areas of research which would be particularly beneficial to the application of remote sensing to mineral exploration are suggested and discussed. These areas are (1) refinement of spectral data in the .4 to 2.5 micron region, (2) systematic research in spatial resolution, and (3) better data for geological structural studies.
Raines, G. L.↗
Morphologic studies of the Moon and planets
The impact, volcanic, and tectonic history of the Moon and planets were investigated over an eight year period. Research on the following topics is discussed: lunar craters, lunar basins, lunar volcanoes, correlation of Apollo geochemical data, lunar geology, Mars desert landforms, and Mars impact basins.
El-Baz, F.↗
Binning of satellite magnetic anomalies
Crustal magnetic anomaly signals over satellite orbits were simulated to investigate numerical averaging as an anomaly estimator. Averaging as an anomaly estimator involves significant problems concerning spatial and amplitude smoothing of the satellite magnetic observations. The results of simulations suggest that the error of numerical averaging constitutes a small and relatively minor component of the total error-budget of higher orbital anomaly estimates, whereas for lower orbital estimates numerical averaging error increases substantially. As an alternative to numerical averaging, least-squares collocation was investigated and observed to produce substantially more accurate anomaly estimates, particularly as the orbital elevation of prediction was decreased towards the crustal sources. In contrast to averaging, collocation is a significantly more resource-intensive procedure to apply because of the practical, but surmountable problems related to establishing and inverting the covariance matrix for accurate anomaly prediction. However, collocation may be much more effectively used to exploit the anomaly details contained in the lower orbital satellite magnetic data for geologic analysis.
Goyal, H. K.↗
SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). Earth observing system. Volume 2F: Instrument panel report
The scientific and engineering requirements for the Earth Observing System (EOS) imaging radar are provided. The radar is based on Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C), and would include three frequencies: 1.25 GHz, 5.3 GHz, and 9.6 GHz; selectable polarizations for both transmit and receive channels; and selectable incidence angles from 15 to 55 deg. There would be three main viewing modes: a local high-resolution mode with typically 25 m resolution and 50 km swath width; a regional mapping mode with 100 m resolution and up to 200 km swath width; and a global mapping mode with typically 500 m resolution and up to 700 km swath width. The last mode allows global coverage in three days. The EOS SAR will be the first orbital imaging radar to provide multifrequency, multipolarization, multiple incidence angle observations of the entire Earth. Combined with Canadian and Japanese satellites, continuous radar observation capability will be possible. Major applications in the areas of glaciology, hydrology, vegetation science, oceanography, geology, and data and information systems are described.
Source record↗
Recent data quality and earth science results from the Landsat thematic mapper
The results of the NASA Landsat Image Data Quality Analysis (LIDQA) program are reviewed. Landsat-4 and Landsat-5 TM data quality with regard to image geometry and radiometry are discussed. The results indicate that the TM provides excellent imagery that can be used in the form of satellite image maps meeting cartographic standards at scales of 1:100,000 or smaller. These data can be used to locate features or guide the revision or updating of maps for scales up to 1:24,000. The TM sensor is also providing data of good radiometric quality and stability, with radiometric uncertainties of 1 percent or smaller. The temperature dependence in the absolute radiometry is on the order of 1 to 5 percent of full scale. In terms of bidirectional reflectance estimated at the satellite, the error is estimated at under 6 percent and commonly 3 percent. Preliminary results also corroborate the utility of the TM data for geological or geographical studies.
Salomonson, Vincent V.↗
Computer Aids Delineation Of Boundaries In Farmlands
Computer-aided stratification (CAS) procedure developmental procedure of image-processing computer equipment and programs partly automating delineation of boundaries between areas. These areas, "primary sampling units", are images of primarily agricultural lands composed by melding digital Landsat Thematic Mapper data and Digital Line Graph data from United States Geological Survey. CAS output data used as inputs for subsequent sampling procedures from which statistics on uses of agricultural lands developed.
Slyle, R.↗
The interpretation of crustal dynamics data in terms of plate interactions and active tectonics of the Anatolian plate and surrounding regions in the Middle East
A detailed study was made of the consequences of the Arabian plate convergence against Eurasia and its effects on the tectonics of Anatolia and surrounding regions of the eastern Mediterranean. A primary source of information is time rates of change of baseline lengths and relative heights determined by repeated SLR measurements. These SLR observations are augmented by a network of GPS stations in Anatolia, Aegea, and Greece, established and twice surveyed since 1988. The existing SLR and GPS networks provide the spatial resolution necessary to reveal the details of ongoing tectonic processes in this area of continental collision. The effort has involved examining the state of stress in the lithosphere and relative plate motions as revealed by these space based geodetic measurements, seismicity, and earthquake mechanisms as well as the aseismic deformations of the plates from conventional geodetic data and geological evidence. These observations are used to constrain theoretical calculations of the relative effects of: (1) the push of the Arabian plate; (2) high topography of Eastern Anatolia; (3) the geometry and properties of African-Eurasian plate boundary; (4) subduction under the Hellenic Arc and southwestern Turkey; and (5) internal deformation and rotation of the Anatolian plate.
Toksoz, M. Nafi↗
Martian Magmatic-Driven Hydrothermal Sites: Potential Sources of Energy, Water, and Life
Magmatic-driven processes and impact events dominate the geologic record of Mars. Such recorded geologic activity coupled with significant evidence of past and present-day water/ice, above and below the martian surface, indicate that hydrothermal environments certainly existed in the past and may exist today. The identification of such environments, especially long-lived magmatic-driven hydrothermal environments, provides NASA with significant target sites for future sample return missions, since they (1) could favor the development and sustenance of life, (2) may comprise a large variety of exotic mineral assemblages, and (3) could potentially contain water/ice reservoirs for future Mars-related human activities. If life developed on Mars, the fossil record would presumably be at its greatest concentration and diversity in environments where long-term energy sources and water coexisted such as at sites where long-lived, magmatic-driven hydrothermal activity occurred. These assertions are supported by terrestrial analogs. Small, single-celled creatures (prokaryotes) are vitally important in the evolution of the Earth; these prokaryotes are environmentally tough and tolerant of environmental extremes of pH, temperature, salinity, and anoxic conditions found around hydrothermal vents. In addition, there is a great ability for bacteria to survive long periods of geologic time in extreme conditions, including high temperature hydrogen sulfide and sulfur erupted from Mount St. Helens volcano. Our team of investigators is conducting a geological investigation using multiple mission-derived datasets (e.g., existing geologic map data, MOC imagery, MOLA, TES image data, geophysical data, etc.) to identify prime target sites of hydrothermal activity for future hydrological, mineralogical, and biological investigations. The identification of these sites will enhance the probability of success for future missions to Mars.
Anderson, R. C.↗