Mapping of hydrothermal alteration in the Cuprite mining district, Nevada, using aircraft scanner images for the spectral region 0.46 to 2.36µm

Geology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Color composites of Landsat Multispectral Scanner ratio images that display variations in the intensity of ferric-iron absorption bands are highly effective for mapping limonitic altered rocks but are ineffective for mapping nonlimonitic altered rocks. Analysis of 0.45- to 2.5-µm field and laboratory spectra shows that iron-deficient opalized rocks in the Cuprite mining district, Nevada, have an intense OH-absorption band near 2.2 µm, owing to their content of clay minerals and alunite, and that this spectral feature is absent or weak in adjacent unaltered tuff and basalt. Altered rocks in the district can be discriminated from unaltered rocks with few ambiguities by use of color-ratio composite images derived from multispectral (0.46 to 2.36 µm) aircraft data. In addition, some effects of mineralogical zoning can be discriminated within the altered area. Only variations in amounts of limonite can be discerned in shorter wavelength aircraft data, Landsat Multispectral Scanner bands, and color aerial photographs.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Mapping of hydrothermal alteration in the Cuprite mining district, Nevada, using aircraft scanner images for the spectral region 0.46 to 2.36µm
Series title Geology
DOI 10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<713:MOHAIT>2.0.CO;2
Volume 5
Issue 12
Year Published 1977
Language English
Publisher GeoScienceWorld
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosys Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 713
Last page 718
Country United States
State Nevada
Other Geospatial Cuprite mining district
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