Geological mapping using Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery in Almeria Province, south-east Spain

This paper describes the use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery for geological mapping in a tectonically-complex area of south-east Spain. The terrain includes the metamorphic basement rocks of the Betic Cordillera and the sedimentary strata of an intermontane basin. TM bands 1, 3 and 5 were us...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of remote sensing 1989-03, Vol.10 (3), p.505-514
Main Authors: CRÓSTA, ALVARO P., MOORE, JOHN McM
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Areal geology
Areal geology. Maps
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
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Summary:This paper describes the use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery for geological mapping in a tectonically-complex area of south-east Spain. The terrain includes the metamorphic basement rocks of the Betic Cordillera and the sedimentary strata of an intermontane basin. TM bands 1, 3 and 5 were used to produce a colour composite. Experimentation showed that this was the most effective band combination to discriminate rock types in the semi-arid study region. A combination of spectral and textural characteristics was used to identify and map rock types in the Nevado-Filabride and Alpujarride basement complexes, sedimentary strata in the Neogene Tabernas-Sorbas Basin and Quaternary drift deposits. Structural features were best shown by digital convolution using a directional filter. The enhanced images revealed a previously unreported fault and fracture belt on the northern side of the Tabernas Basin. The geological interpretation of enhanced TM imagery was locally checked in the field.
ISSN:0143-1161
1366-5901
DOI:10.1080/01431168908903888