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At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Soil stabilization by a prokaryotic desert crust - Implications for Precambrian land biota

The ecology of the cyanophyte-dominated stromatolitic mat forming the ground cover over desert areas of Utah and Colorado is investigated and implications for the formation of mature Precambrian soils are discussed. The activation of the growth of the two species of filamentous cyanophyte identified and the mobility of their multiple trichromes upon wetting are observed, accompanied by the production and deposition of a sheath capable of accreting and stabilizing sand and clay particles. The formation of calcium carbonate precipitates upon the repeated wetting and drying of desert crust is noted, and it is suggested that the desert crust community may appear in fossil calcrete deposits as lithified microscopic tubes and cellular remains of algal trichromes. The invasion of dry land by both marine and freshwater algae on the model of the desert crust is proposed to be responsible for the accumulation, stabilization and biogenic modification of mature Precambrian soils.

Campbell, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Passive microwave studies of frozen lakes

Lakes of various sizes, depths and ice thicknesses in Alaska, Utah and Colorado were overflown with passive microwave sensors providing observations at several wavelengths. A layer model is used to calculate the microwave brightness temperature, T sub B (a function of the emissivity and physical temperatures of the object), of snowcovered ice underlain with water. Calculated T sub B's are comparable to measured T sub B's. At short wavelengths, e.g., 0.8 cm, T sub B data provide information on the near surface properties of ice covered lakes where the long wavelength, 21.0 cm, observations sense the entire thickness of ice including underlying water. Additionally, T sub B is found to increase with ice thickness. 1.55 cm observations on Chandalar Lake in Alaska show a T sub B increase of 38 K with an approximate 124 cm increase in ice thickness.

Hall, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Middle infrared multispectral aircraft scanner data - Analysis for geological applications

Multispectral middle IR (8-13 microns) data were acquired with an aircraft scanner over Utah. Because these digital image data were dominated by temperature, all six channels were highly correlated. Extensive processing was required to allow geologic photointerpretation based on subtle variations in spectral emittance between rock types. After preliminary processing, ratio images were produced and color ratio composites created from these. Sensor calibration and an atmospheric model allowed determination of surface brightness, temperature, emittance, and color composite emittance images. The best separation of major rock types was achieved with a principal component transformation, followed by a Gaussian stretch, followed by an inverse transformation to the original axes.

Kahle, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Summary of Jimsphere wind profiles: Programs, data, comments, part 1

Jimsphere wind profiles are documented for the following ranges and installations: Eastern Test Range, Cape Kennedy, Florida; Western Test Range; Point Mugu, California; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Wallops Island, Virginia; Green River, Utah; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Profile information for 1964-1977 includes data summaries, computer formats, frequency distributions, composite listings, etc., for use in establishing and interpreting natural environment criteria for aeronautical vehicle design and engineering operations.

Willett, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Long-wave stratospheric transmission of Mount St. Helens ejecta

The NASA/Ames Research C-141 aircraft underflew the Mount St. Helens ejecta plume in Utah three days after the eruption. Upward-looking 20-40-microns on-board radiometry provided data resulting in a calculated long-wave transmission of 0.93. From this value, an optical depth of 0.073 is inferred. This value is compared with an accepted background, stratospheric infrared optical depth of 0.06. Assumptions on particle size, shortwave albedo, and thermal warming imply little surface temperature change caused by the ejecta on the third day immediately following the eruption.

Kuhn, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Optimum spectral bands for rock discrimination

Using stepwise discriminant analysis on spectral reflectance and spectral emissivity data collected by a Multispectral Scanner and Data System, mounted in an NC-130B aircraft and flown at an altitude of approximately 3 km, spectral bands were ranked as to their usefulness in separating specific rock types and rock alteration products in seven geologically diverse Utah sites. The optimum band for rock discrimination included the 1.18 to 1.30 micron interval, and the optimum combination of bands comprised the 1.18 to 1.30, 4.50 to 4.75, 0.46 to 0.50, 1.52 to 1.73, and 2.10 to 2.36 micron intervals. It is concluded that the spectral interval combination was more successful in differentiating geologic materials than either simulated Multispectral Scanner bands or simulated Thematic Mapper bands.

Siegrist, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measurements by the plasma diagnostics package on STS-3

A comprehensive set of measurements about the orbiter environment are provided by the plasma diagnostics package (PDP). Ion and electron particle densities, energies, and spatial distribution functions; ion mass for identification of particular molecular ion species; and magnetic fields, electric fields and electromagnetic waves over a broad frequency range are studied. Shuttle environmental measurements will be made both on the pallet and, by use of the remote manipulator system (RMS), the PDP will be maneuvered in and external to the bay area to continue environmental measurements and to carry on a joint plasma experiment with the Utah State University fast-pulsed electron generator. Results of orbiter environment EMI measurements and S-band field strengths as well as preliminary results from wake search operations indicating wake boundary identifiers are reported.

Shawhan, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Irrigated acreage in the Bear River Basin as of the 1975 growing season

The irrigated cropland in the Bear River Basin as of the 1975 growing season was inventoried from satellite imagery. LANDSAT color infrared images (scale 1:125,000) were examined for early, mid, and late summer dates, and acreage was estimated by use of township/section overlays. The total basin acreage was estimated to be 573,435 acres, with individual state totals as follows: Idaho 234,370 acres; Utah 265,505 acres; and Wyoming 73,560 acres. As anticipated, wetland areas intermingled among cropland appears to have produced an over-estimation of irrigated acreage. According to a 2% random sample of test sites evaluated by personnel from the Soil Conservation Service such basin-wide over-estimation is 7.5%; individual counties deviate significantly from the basin-wide figure, depending on the relative amount of wetland areas intermingled with cropland.

Ridd, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mode and mechanisms of plateau uplifts

The mode and mechanisms of plateau uplifts are reported, based on discussions which occurred as part of a conference on plateau uplifts sponsored by the Inter-Union Commission on Geodynamics and the Lunar and Planetary Institute. Major plateaus and high plains of the world are discussed with emphasis on the Colorado Plateau, which possesses a shield-like crust 45 km thick and occupies most of eastern Utah and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Several uplift mechanisms are described, including thermal expansion due to a deep mantle plume or hot spot, and hydration reactions such as serpentinization. It is concluded that uplifts are most commonly associated with either subduction and its direct effects, or deep-seated thermal disturbances.

Mcgetchin, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An investigation into the utilization of HCMM thermal data for the descrimination of volcanic and Eolian geological units

Analysis of HCMM data shows that the resolution provided by the thermal data is inadequate to permit the identification of individual lava flows within the volcanic test sites. Thermal data of southern California reveals that dune complexes at Kelso and Algodomes are found to be too small to permit adequate investigation of their structure. As part of the study of the San Francisco volcanic field, marked variations in the thermal properties of the region between Flagstaff and the Utah State border were observed. Several well-defined units within the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau were recognized and appear to be very suitable for analysis with HCMM, SEASAT and LANDSAT images. Although individual volcanic constructs within the Cascade Range are too small to permit detailed characterization with the thermal data, the regional volcano/tectonic setting offers a good opportunity for comparing the possible thermal distinction between this area and sedimentary fold belts such as those found in the eastern United States. Strong intra-regional variations in vegetation cover were also tentatively identified for the Oregon test site.

Head, J. W., III↗
NASA NTRS1982

Detection of aspen-conifer forest mixes from LANDSAT digital data

Aspen, conifer and mixed aspen/conifer forests were mapped for a 15-quadrangle study area in the Utah-Idaho Bear River Range using LANDSAT multispectral scanner data. Digital classification and statistical analysis of LANDSAT data allowed the identification of six groups of signatures which reflect different types of aspen/conifer forest mixing. Photo interpretations of the print symbols suggest that such classes are indicative of mid to late seral aspen forests. Digital print map overlays and acreage calculations were prepared for the study area quadrangles. Further field verification is needed to acquire additional information about the nature of the forests. Single date LANDSAT analysis should be a cost effective means to index aspen forests which are at least in the mid seral phase of conifer invasion. Since aspen canopies tend to obscure understory conifers for early seral forests, a second date analysis, using data taken when aspens are leafless, could provide information about early seral aspen forests.

Jaynes, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Identifying environmental features for land management decisions

The benefits of changes in management organization and facilities for the Center for Remote Sensing and Cartography in Utah are reported as well as interactions with and outreach to state and local agencies. Completed projects are described which studied (1) Unita Basin wetland/land use; (2) Davis County foothill development; (3) Farmington Bay shoreline fluctuation; (4) irrigation detection; and (5) satellite investigation of snow cover/mule deer relationships. Techniques developed for composite computer mapping, contrast enhancement, U-2 CIR/LANDSAT digital interface; factor analysis, and multivariate statistical analysis are described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

The Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP)

The states encompassed by the Western Regional Applications Program (WRAP) include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The features of the western United States which both help and hinder the use of LANDSAT are discussed as well as their effects on the institutional approaches used for resources management in these states. Operational alternatives and some of the representative LANDSAT projects that WRAP is engaged in are presented.

Norman, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Detection of aspen/conifer forest mixes from multitemporal LANDSAT digital data

Aspen, conifer and mixed aspen/conifer forests were mapped for a 15-quadrangle study area in the Utah-Idaho Bear River Range using LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data. The digital MSS data were utilized to devise quantitative indices which correlate with apparently stable and seral aspen forests. The extent to which a two-date LANDSAT MSS analysis may permit the delineation of different categories of aspen/conifer forest mix was explored. Multitemporal analyses of MSS data led to the identification of early, early to mid, mid to late, and late seral stages of aspen/conifer forest mixing.

Merola, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Soil temperature investigations using satellite acquired thermal-infrared data in semi-arid regions

Thermal-infrared data from the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission satellite were used to map the spatial distribution of diurnal surface temperatures and to estimate mean annual soil temperatures (MAST) and annual surface temperature amplitudes (AMP) in semi-arid east central Utah. Diurnal data with minimal snow and cloud cover were selected for five dates throughout a yearly period and geometrically co-registered. Rubber-sheet stretching was aided by the WARP program which allowed preview of image transformations. Daytime maximum and nighttime minimum temperatures were averaged to generation average daily temperature (ADT) data set for each of the five dates. Five ADT values for each pixel were used to fit a sine curve describing the theoretical annual surface temperature response as defined by a solution of a one-dimensinal heat flow equation. Linearization of the equation produced estimates of MAST and AMP plus associated confidence statistics. MAST values were grouped into classes and displayed on a color video screen. Diurnal surface temperatures and MAST were primarily correlated with elevation.

Day, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Rock type discrimination techniques using Landsat and Seasat image data

Results of a sedimentary rock type discrimination project using Seasat radar and Landsat multispectral image data of the San Rafael Swell, in eastern Utah, are presented, which has the goal of determining the potential contribution of radar image data to Landsat image data for rock type discrimination, particularly when the images are coregistered. The procedure employs several images processing techniques using the Landsat and Seasat data independently, and then both data sets are coregistered. The images are evaluated according to the ease with which contacts can be located and rock units (not just stratigraphically adjacent ones) separated. Results show that of the Landsat images evaluated, the image using a supervised classification scheme is the best for sedimentary rock type discrimination. Of less value, in decreasing order, are color ratio composites, principal components, and the standard color composite. In addition, for rock type discrimination, the black and white Seasat image is less useful than any of the Landsat color images by itself. However, it is found that the incorporation of the surface textural measures made from the Seasat image provides a considerable and worthwhile improvement in rock type discrimination.

Blom, R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of coregistered Landsat, Seasat and SIR-A images of varied terrain types

Multisensor image data (SIR-A, Seasat SAR and Landsat MSS) over areas in nothern Algeria and eastern Utah have been coregistered in order to assess the complementary effects of the orbital sensors for geologic mapping in two very different terrains. This first attempt at registering such a data set shows that the radar backscatter information provided by the SIR-A image increases the classification accuracy of several geologic units over the Landsat image alone, and over combined Landsat and Seasat images.

Rebillard, P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Comparative analysis of co-registered SIR-A, Seasat and Landsat images

A number of areas were covered by Seasat SAR and SIR-A, thus providing information at two different incidence angles (20 deg and 50 deg respectively). These angles correspond to scattering from two different surface roughness scales. The results of the analysis from two areas will be presented. The first is the San Rafael area in Utah where Seasat/SIR-A/Landsat data were coregistered and discriminant analysis is being applied to classify surface units. The second area is the Chotts area in Algeria where appreciable changes have been observed between Seasat and SIR-A images. However, it is not clear if the changes are due to the different observation geometry or changes in the surface between 1978 and 1981.

Elachi, C.↗