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Progress in a study of lunar topography and geology by analyzing and mapping the earth's mantle is presented. Data from the study are used for the construction of a 600 page lunar topographic atlas. A list of research publications from the study is also included.
The author has identified the following significant results. Several regional lineaments appear to correlate with the distribution of ore deposits and showings. Combined study of LANDSAT summer and winter mosaics and color composites of geological, geomorphological, and geophysical maps makes the correlation more perceptible. The revealed pattern of significant lineaments in northern Finland is fairly regular. The most significant lineaments seen in LANDSAT mosaics are not detectable in single images.
Properties of lunar crustal magnetization thus far deduced from Apollo subsatellite magnetometer data are reviewed using two of the most accurate available magnetic anomaly maps, one covering a portion of the lunar near side and the other a part of the far side. The largest single anomaly found within the region of coverage on the near-side map correlates exactly with a conspicuous light-colored marking in western Oceanus Procellarum called Reiner Gamma. This feature is interpreted as an unusual deposit of ejecta from secondary craters of the large nearby primary impact crater Cavalerius. The mean altitude of the far-side anomaly gap is much higher than that of the near side map and the surface geology is more complex; individual anomaly sources have therefore not yet been identified. The mechanism of magnetization and the origin of the magnetizing field remain unresolved, but the uniformity with which the Reiner Gamma deposit is apparently magnetized, and the north-south depletion of magnetization intensity across a substantial portion of the far side, seem to require the existence of an ambient field, perhaps of global or larger extent.
The analysis and construction of approximate channel floor longitudinal gradients from 26 radar elevation profiles at four latitudinal channel crossings show that the outflow channels of the Lunae Planum and Chryse Basin have much lower values than those of the U.S. Geological Survey's topographic map. In order to account for the movement of fluids to the north, it is proposed that ponding from local runoff occurred before channel transition along the course of Simud and Tiu Valles. The lakes eventually overflowed, drainages became integrated, and headward erosion reached interfluves, thereby forming the present channel configurations. The ponding and the flooding following it, which had sufficient head to move fluids across nearly level gradients, would have occurred during a period when the climate allowed the surface runoff of fluids and standing bodies of water.
The ability of the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) data to identify rock composition using thermal-infrared spectroscopy was assessed. A region was selected with a wide range of rock and soil types in an arid environment, and the spectra acquired by TIMS was compared to laboratory spectra of collected samples. A TIMS image was acquired of the Kelso-Baker region in the Mojave desert of California at a surface resolution of approximately 7 m. This image was then used to map the areal extent of each geologic component. The TIMS data provided an excellent means for discriminating and mapping rocks of very similar mineralogy. These findings suggest that thermal-infrared spectroscopy can provide a powerful tool for identifying and mapping rock composition on the Earth and other terrestrial planets.
The types of remote sensing images which have applications in geophysical studies are reviewed. Features of the Shuttle Imaging Radar, a synthetic aperture radar, are described and a sample image is provided to illustrate the capabilities for mapping large-scale geological structure. A combined Landsat-Seasat image is shown to yield data on crustal composition. Sea surface topographic features that result from gravitational effects are demonstrated to be amenable to characterization with another Seasat instrument, a radar altimeter. Magsat data allow identification of magnetic perturbations produced by crustal magnetization. Finally, auroral imagery gathered with the Atmospheric Dynamics Explorer are presented which show that the effects of particles bombarding the atmosphere can be detected at UV wavelengths.
Digital elevation models of the northern part of Ma'adim Vallis (603a41 607m/pix, 639a91 721m/pix), and Apollinaris Patera (603a42 612m/pix, 639a92 717m/pix), covering the area between 180 degrees to 190 degrees long and -2 degrees to -20 degrees lat. were obtained using a method described here. The results for the Ma'adim Vallis area show broad agreement with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map of the area with a channel depth of 1 to 2 km. A detailed study of the variations in the channel depth along its course and calculations of its discharge rate from channel cross section and slope are currently being undertaken. Results for Apollinaris Patera have been obtained, although the absolute heights relative to the Mars datum are not well constrained. However, the relative heights are sufficient for some analysis. Again, the topographic map is in reasonable agreement with the USGS map of the area, although there are significant differences.
A new approach to stratigraphic analysis is described which uses photogeologic and spectral interpretation of multispectral remote sensing data combined with topographic information to determine the attitude, thickness, and lithology of strata exposed at the surface. The new stratigraphic procedure is illustrated by examples in the literature. The published results demonstrate the potential of spectral stratigraphy for mapping strata, determining dip and strike, measuring and correlating stratigraphic sequences, defining lithofacies, mapping biofacies, and interpreting geological structures.
We report on the geological interpretation of the mapping analysis of several successful radar experiments, which are part of a program to generate a high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) of the equatorial region of Venus between Phoebe Regio and far western Ovda Regio. These experiments used radar interferometry with Arecibo transmitting and Goldstone receiving.
Artemis Program objectives for sustainable, long-term presence on the Moon and more distant planetary surfaces will require learning to “Live off the Land”, relying on in-situ resource utilization to produce infrastructure and building materials from lunar regolith, icy subsurface deposits, and residual waste materials. Meeting demand for consumables while scaling development with resources found within the landing zone will require detailed data on the geology and environment of the lunar surface. Lunar infrastructure development will generate vast amounts of new engineering data regarding availability of processed feedstocks and their performance in building materials. Lunar engineering data accessible to program partners, research institutions and industry may help situate processes and specifications within the in-situ GIS context. Lunar missions to date have generated geological and ice favorability maps of the lunar surface, and recent technology studies have tested automated construction systems and novel material formulations using regolith simulants and binders. Current discussions focus on identifying key feedstocks, quantities required for nominal mission scenarios and infrastructure plans, and mapping the value chain from regolith to feedstock to consumables and construction materials.
Artemis Program objectives for sustainable, long-term presence on the Moon and more distant planetary surfaces will require learning to “Live off the Land”, relying on in-situ resource utilization to produce infrastructure and building materials from lunar regolith, icy subsurface deposits, and residual waste materials. Meeting demand for consumables while scaling development with resources found within the landing zone will require detailed data on the geology and environment of the lunar surface. Lunar infrastructure development will generate vast amounts of new engineering data regarding availability of processed feedstocks and their performance in building materials. Lunar engineering data accessible to program partners, research institutions and industry may help situate processes and specifications within the in-situ GIS context. Lunar missions to date have generated geological and ice favorability maps of the lunar surface, and recent technology studies have tested automated construction systems and novel material formulations using regolith simulants and binders. Current discussions focus on identifying key feedstocks, quantities required for nominal mission scenarios and infrastructure plans, and mapping the value chain from regolith to feedstock to consumables and construction materials.
Nowadays, nuclear industry is facing a crucial need in establishing radiological characterization for the assessment and the monitoring of any remediation work. Regarding its experience in this domain, the French Commission for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies (CEA) of Fontenay-aux-Roses, established an important feedback and developed a sound methodology for radiological characterization. A clean-up project is managed from the initial surface characterization to the final one, once volumes of contaminated soil have been removed. Samples are collected via recognized methods and data is gathered by real-time acquisition with different conveyance such as all-in-vehicles, cart, walking, helicopter or drone. Accurate radiological analyses are performed on site thanks to the mobile laboratories cluster, called SMaRT. It enables to realize long-time gamma spectroscopy, chemical preparation for alpha spectroscopy or beta liquid scintillation counting. Data is processed with geo-statistics via the software Kartotrak, 2D or 3D mapping are created with the associated uncertainty and probability map. Drilling profiles with geological data (layers composition, particles size, etc.) are studied in order to understand the behavior of the contamination in depth. Source term, contaminated volumes and sanitary impact are calculated in order to determine the optimum excavation depth. Finally, data is stored in an online site that insures the traceability of the whole process. This just-in-time production model allows a fast response and control of costs and avoids the disadvantages of radioactive material transport. This whole innovative process, developed inside the mobile platform, requires all these tools that have been used in France and continuously evolving for more than 10 years thanks to a learning organization. (authors)
Results of a study of the western and central portions of the Venusian hot spot Eistla Regio are presented. Magellan radar images were mapped to elucidate the general geologic history of the region. Radial fracture systems both on the rises and volcanoes indicate that uplift and associated faulting accompanied volcanic construction. Prominent fracture zones strike WNW to NW, parallel to the long axis of the highlands. The largest of these, Guor Linea, exhibits a progressive deformation history that may include minor clockwise rotation in addition to bulk NNE-SSW extension. Pioneer Venus line-of-sight accelerations were inverted for vertical gravity which, when combined with topography, were used to solve for mass anomalies on the crust-mantle boundary and in the upper levels of the mantle convective system.
During the past decade, there has been a rapid expansion of remote sensing research and technology development related to coastal wetlands. As a result of this research, all of the 23 coastal states have ongoing or completed wetland inventories, most utilizing aerial photographs as the data source for producing a variety of map products with varying scales, formats, classification systems and intended uses. The U.S. Geological Survey is increasing emphasis on map production and revision for the coastal zone. The new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory is intended to provide a standardized method for comparison of wetlands on a national basis - it too will use available aerial photographs as a basic data source. At present, satellite data is not used for operational mapping of coastal wetlands because of resolution and geometric constraints. In the future, however, satellite data may provide an accurate reliable and economical source to update wetland inventories and to monitor or evaluate coastal wetlands. The technological improvements accompanying the development and launch of Landsat C and D and the space shuttle promise to make satellite digital data a more powerful tool to supply information for future management decisions for coastal wetlands.
Located on the banks of the Salt River in the Sonoran Desert, Tempe, Arizona, features a semi-arid climate with summer daily maximum temperatures regularly exceeding 37.8°C. Tempe is also subject to the southwestern monsoon season from July-September and the humidity exacerbates the high temperatures. Furthermore, the rapid urbanization experienced in Tempe has resulted in an intensification of the urban heat island. The summer of 2020 shattered the previous record of days exceeding 43.4°C, leading to higher energy and water costs, lower comfort, and increased risk of heat stroke for residents. Recognizing the impacts of extreme heat, the City of Tempe partnered with the Healthy Urban Environments initiative and NASA DEVELOP to identify census tracts that experience a higher mean land surface temperature than the city average. The NASA DEVELOP team used remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), and albedo data calculated from Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) instruments from 2015 to 2020 to create heat hazard and exposure maps. LiDAR point cloud data, provided by the United States Geological Survey through Arizona State University’s Map and Geospatial Hub, were used to derive 3D buildings, building footprints, and tree point data for a shading analysis of walking paths, roads, and buildings at the census tract level. In situ meteorological measurements including air temperature and humidity were used to compare the macro-scale temperature measurements. The team worked with the City of Tempe to develop a methodology to process available data and identify areas of highest concern for urban heat effects within the city. With these insights, Tempe, Arizona can better address these issues with data-driven information to make decisions regarding heat mitigation and adaptation efforts.
GeoSAR is a program sponsored by DARPA (Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to develop and airborne, radar-based, commercial terrain mapping system for identification of geologic, seismic, and environmental information.
GeoSAR is a program sponsored by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to develop an airborne, radar- based, commercial terrain mapping system for identification of geologic, seismic, and environmental information, it has two (dual-band at X and UHF) state-of-the-art interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) ground mapping systems. The UHF interferometric system is utilized to penetrate the vegetation canopy and obtain true ground surface height information, while the Xband system will provide capability of mapping the top foliage surface. This paper presents the UHF antenna system where the required center frequency is 350 MHz with a 160 MHz of bandwidth (46% from 270 MHz to 430 MHz). The antenna is required to have dual-linear polarization with a peak gain of 10 dB at the center frequency and a minimum gain of 8 dB toward two ends of the frequency band. One of the most challenging tasks, in addition to achieving the 46% bandwidth, is to develop an antenna with small enough size to fit in the wing-tip pod of a Gulfstream II aircraft.
Isopach maps and structural contour maps of the eastern mare basins (30 deg N to 30 deg S; 0 deg to 100 deg E), constructed from measurements of partially buried craters, are presented and discussed. The data, which are sufficiently scattered to yield gross thickness variations, are restricted to shallow maria with less than 1500-2000 m of mare basalts. The average thickness of basalt in the irregular maria is between 200 and 400 m. Correlations between surface topography, basalt thickness, and basin floor structure are apparent in most of the basins that were studied. The mare surface is commonly depressed in regions of thick mare basalts; mare ridges are typically located in regions of pronounced thickness changes; and arcuate mare rilles are confined to thin mare basalts. Most surface structures are attributed to shallow stresses developed within the mare basalts during consolidation and volume reduction.