Integrating airborne SAR, Landsat TM and airborne geophysics data for improving geological mapping in the Amazon region: the Cigano Granite, Carajás Province, Brazil

• Published in: International journal of remote sensing 2008-07, Vol.29 (13), p.3957-3974
• Main Authors: Teruiya, R. K., Paradella, W. R., Dos Santos, A. R., Dall'Agnol, R., Veneziani, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied geophysics; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Internal geophysics
• ISSN: 0143-1161; 1366-5901
• DOI: 10.1080/01431160801891838

This study examines the value of integrating airborne C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and airborne gamma spectroradiometric data with field, petrographic and geochemical data for geological mapping of the Cigano batholith, an important representative of the Paleoproterozoic granitic magmatism in the Carajás Mineral Province (CMP), Amazon region. Distinct schemes for the integration of radar/optical and radar/optical/gamma data were evaluated and the geological information derived from the integrated products was verified in the field. The investigation allowed the re-evaluation of previous geological information and the definition of distinct domains within the Cigano pluton and country rocks. The importance of brittle structures related to the tectonic evolution of the area and the location of intensely altered zones in the pluton was emphasized, favouring new insights into current geological and exploratory models of the area. The application of a similar approach as operational routine in exploration programmes in the Amazon region is justified considering the limited geological information, the availability of aerogeophysical data and airborne/spaceborne remote sensing data (radar, optical) and the high costs of field mapping in this kind of terrain.