Date of Award
Spring 5-4-2024
Degree Type
Publishable Paper
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Geosciences
First Advisor
Dr. Xiaobing Zhou
Second Advisor
Dr. Curtis Link
Third Advisor
Gary Wyss
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Christopher Gammons
Abstract
The radiometric signature of thorium, in combination with the hyperspectral signature of carbonate minerals, can be a useful indicator of rare earth mineral occurrences in air-borne geophysical exploration. Recent technological advancements have allowed unmanned aircraft system (UAS)--borne spectral imaging and gamma-ray spectroscopy systems to acquire high-spatial-resolution data. In this study, we attempted to define and map an area of interest for rare earth mineral exploration using UAS-borne spectral and gamma-ray spectroscopy systems. Gamma-ray spectroscopy data were used to define an area of interest. Short-wave infrared imagery was used to detect and map carbonate minerals within the area of interest. Gamma-ray spectroscopy data successfully outlined an area of interest for rare earth element exploration consistent with ground-truth rock samples, geochemical analysis, and previous geological mapping. Hyperspectral image classification using spectral angle mapper (SAM) and spectral information divergence-spectral angle mapper hybrid method (SID-SAM) methods mapped carbonate minerals within the defined area of interest most successfully. Combining high-resolution UAS remote sensing with geophysical methods provides more robust results than a single method alone.
Recommended Citation
Kamp, Emma, "Using Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-borne high-resolution hyperspectral imaging and gamma radiometry for rare earth element exploration in the Bearpaw Mountains, Montana USA" (2024). Graduate Theses & Non-Theses. 312.
https://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/grad_rsch/312