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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Some examples of the utility of HCMM data in geologic remote sensing

Examples of HCMM (Heat Capacity Mapping Mission) data in geologic remote sensing are presented, and the data set is composed of HCMM and aircraft digital scanner data and ground truth data from four western U.S. test sites. Data are used in the thermal model to test thermal data effectiveness, and changes in temperature with depth and time for dry soils are described by the model. It is found that the HCMM thermal inertia image is useful in the separability of bedrock and alluvium in Death Valley, and aa and pahoehoe flows in the Pisgah basalt flow. In a color composite of HCMM day temperature, night temperature, and day visible images of the Pisgah Crater test site, it is possible to distinguish alluvium, playa, aa and pahoehoe basalt flow, rhyolite intrusives, and other elements. Ground checking of units at a few points will extend capabilities to large areas and assist in creating telegeologic maps.

Kahle, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The geology of Io

A preliminary geologic map of 34.8 percent of the surface of Io has been compiled using best-resolution Voyager 1 images. Nine volcanic units are identified, including materials of mountains, plains, flows, cones, and crater vents, in addition to six types of structural features. Photogeologic evidence indicates a dominantly silicate composition for the mountain material. Sulfur flows of diverse viscosity and sulfur-silicate mixtures may compose the extensive plans. Pit-crater and shield-crater vent-wall scarps reach heights of over two km, and layered-plains boundary scarps have estimated heights of 150 to 1700 m, indicating a material with considerable strength. A cumulative size-frequency distribution plot for 170 volcanic craters with diameters over 14 km is similar to the curves for impact craters on other bodies in the solar system, attesting to a similar nonrandom distribution of crater diameters and a surplus of small craters. A total of 151 lineaments and grabens forming two nearly orthogonal sets is recognized.

Schaber, G. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The use of thermal infrared images in geologic mapping

Thermal infrared image data can be used as an aid to geologic mapping. Broadband thermal data between 8 and 13 microns is used to measure surface temperature, from which surface thermal properties can be inferred. Data from aircraft multispectral scanners at Pisgah, California which include a broadband thermal channel along with several visible and near-IR spectral channels permit better discrimination between rock type units than the same data set without the thermal data. Data from the HCMM satellite and from aircraft thermal scanners also make it possible to monitor moisture changes in Death Valley, California. Multispectral data in the same 8-13 micron wavelength range can be used to discriminate between surface materials with different spectral emission characteristics, as demonstrated with both aircraft scanner and ground spectrometer data.

Kahle, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Contribution of LANDSAT-4 thematic mapper data to geologic exploration

The increased number of carefully selected narrow spectral bands and the increased spatial resolution of thematic mapper data over previously available satellite data contribute greatly to geologic exploration, both by providing spectral information that permits lithologic differentiation and recognition of alteration and spatial information that reveals structure. As vegetation and soil cover increase, the value of spectral components of TM data decreases relative to the value of the spatial component of the data. However, even in vegetated areas, the greater spectral breadth and discrimination of TM data permits improved recognition and mapping of spatial elements of the terrain. As our understanding of the spectral manifestations of the responses of soils and vegetation to unusual chemical environments increases, the value of spectral components of TM data to exploration will greatly improve in covered areas.

Everett, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Substance geology of the western desert in Egypt and Sudan revealed by Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A)

A correlation of known archaeologic sites with the mapped locations of the streamcourses is expected and may lead to new interpretations of early human history in the Sahara. The valley networks, faults, and other subjacent bedrock features mapped on the SIR-A images are promising areas for ground water and mineral exploration. Additionally, the analogies between the interplay of wind and running water in the geologic history of the Sahara and of Mars are strengthened by the SIR-A discoveries of relict drainage systems beneath the eolian veneer of Egypt and Sudan.

Breed, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Use of coregistered radar, visible and IR images for geologic remote sensing

The Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) obtained images over the southern portion of the San Rafael Swell in eastern Utah. SEASAT SAR and LANDSAT MSS images and thermal inertia data from the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) were correlated with the SIR-A data. Radar images obtained with different incidence angles and different illumination directions were compared with images obtained in other portions of the spectrum for geologic remote sensing.

Evans, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Use of radar image texture in geologic mapping

Large slope angle radar and small slope angle radar techniques are discussed. The techniques are developed to aid in the geologic interpretation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The application presented is for heavy vegetation and where very little other data can be obtained directly from remote sensing images. To understand the relationships between image texture, topography, lithology, geomorphology, and climate improves, textural information from SAR images are used for the identification of rock types to discriminate units. An active program is to integrate textural information from radar images directly with backscatter data from the same images, and with compositional information derived from visible near infrared sensors such as LANDSAT is explored. The role of quantitative textural information in this type of multisensor analysis which promises to be significant is outlined.

Farr, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Remote sensing and geologic studies of the planetary crusts

Dark haloed craters and regions of the Moon which were sites of ancient volcanism were remotely sensed as well as KREEP deposits in the Inbrium region. The relationship between geology and geochemistry in the Undarum/Spumans region was also examined. Results are summarized for observations of the Reiner Gamma formation, studies of impact cratering mechanics and processes, spectral variations of asteroidal surfaces, albedo and color variations on Ganymede, and studies of lunar impact structures.

Hawke, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Significant achievements in the planetary geology program

Recent developments in planetology research are summarized. Important developments are summarized in topics ranging from solar system evolution, comparative planetology, and geologic processes active on other planetary bodies, to techniques and instrument development for exploration.

Head, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Reports of Planetary Geology Program, 1983

Several areas of the Planetary Geology Program were addressed including outer solar system satellites, asteroids, comets, Venus, cratering processes and landform development, volcanic processes, aeolian processes, fluvial processes, periglacial and permafrost processes, geomorphology, remote sensing, tectonics and stratigraphy, and mapping.

Henry E Holt↗
NASA NTRS1984

Mercury: New identification of ancient multi-ring basins and implications for geologic evolution

A systematic survey of the entire Mariner 10 coverage of Mercury was performed to determine the number, distribution and dimensions of additional ancient basins on the planet. Ancient multi-ringed basins on Mercury can be recognized by the following criteria: (1) arcs of massif chains and isolated massifs that protrude through younger units, (2) arcuate segments of lobate ridges (rupes) that align with massifs in circular patterns, (3) arcuate scarps that are aligned with ridges and massif, and (4) isolated regions of anomalously high topography within the intercrater regions of heavily cratered terrain. All of the newly identified basins predate the mercurian intercrater plains, previously held to be the oldest geologic unit on the planet. Subsequent structural evolution of various regions was influenced by the presence of these basins. Smooth plains units appear to be more extensive than mapped by Mariner 10 and more than 90 percent of them appear to be basin contained or basin related. The concentration of extensive smooth plains material within and associated with basin structural and depositional environments suggests a volcanic origin for most of this unit, analogous to the lunar maria. Basins appear to provide the basic structural pattern of early terrestrial planetary crusts.

Spudis, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Permafrost on Mars: distribution, formation, and geological role

The morphology of channels, valleys, chaotic and fretted terrains and many smaller features on Mars is consistent with the hypothesis that localized deterioration of thick layers of ice-rich permafrost was a dominant geologic process on the Martian surface. Such ground ice deterioration gave rise to large-scale mass movement, including sliding, slumping and sediment gravity flowage, perhaps also catastropic floods. In contrast to Earth, such mass movement processes on Mars lack effective competition from erosion by surface runoff. Therefore, Martian features due to mass movement grew to reach immense size without being greatly modified by secondary erosional processes. The Viking Mission to Mars in 1976 provided adequate measurements of the relevant physical parameters to constrain models for Martian permafrost.

Nummedal, D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Advances in planetary geology

A wide variety of topics on planetary geology are presented. Subjects include stratigraphy and geomorphology of Copernicus, the Mamers valle region, and other selected regions of Mars and the Moon. Crater density and distribution are discussed for Callisto and the lunar surface. Spectroscopic analysis is described for Europa and Ganymede.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Geologic observations of the Martian highland boundary in the Mamers Valles region

A geologic map of the Ismenius Lacus (MC-5) Southwestern subquadrangle of Mars is described, using the 1:2,000,000 photomosaic as a base. The mapping, and a limited study of the surrounding areas, was done to determine the nature and origin of fretted terrain, fretted channels, and the northern highland scarp. Some highlights resulting from the mapping and accompanying topical investigations are included.

Persky, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The geology of Mare Acidalium quadrangle Mars

The Mare Acidalium quadrangle is described. Mare Acidalium quadrangle lies between 30 - 60 N latitude and 0 - 60 W longitude. Materials that were used in mapping the quadrangle include Mariner and Viking single-frame images and photomosaics. Preliminary geologic mapping was done on five 1:2,000,000-scale photomosaics and selected higher resolution photomosaics. The data were then compiled on one sheet at a scale of 1:5,000,000. The Mariner 9 mission revealed a striking planetary dichotomy; high-standing, heavily-cratered terrain in the south that contrasts with low-lying, lightly-cratered terrain in the north. Both of these terrain types occur in Mare Acidalium quadrangle. The boundary separating the elevated cratered plateau from the lower plains is, in many places, an escarpment 1-2 km-high, however, in a few places where there is no escarpment, plains materials embay and overlap the heavily-cratered plateau material.

Witbeck, N. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Geological rhythms and cometary impacts

Time series analysis reveals two dominant, long-term periodicities approximately equal to 32 and 260 million years in the known series of geological and biological upheavals during the Phanerozoic Eon. The cycles of these episodes agree in period and phase with the cycles of impact cratering on Earth, suggesting that periodic comet impacts strongly influence Earth processes.

Rampino, M. R.↗