Comparative mineral mapping in the Colorado Mineral Belt using AVIRIS and ASTER remote sensing data

Barnaby W. Rockwell

doi:10.3133/sim3256

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Comparative mineral mapping in the Colorado Mineral Belt using AVIRIS and ASTER remote sensing data

Barnaby W. Rockwell

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Abstract

This report presents results of interpretation of spectral remote sensing data covering the eastern Colorado Mineral Belt in central Colorado, USA, acquired by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensors. This study was part of a multidisciplinary mapping and data integration project at the U.S. Geological Survey that focused on long-term resource planning by land-managing entities in Colorado. The map products were designed primarily for the regional mapping and characterization of exposed surface mineralogy, including that related to hydrothermal alteration and supergene weathering of pyritic rocks. Alteration type was modeled from identified minerals based on standard definitions of alteration mineral assemblages. Vegetation was identified using the ASTER data and subdivided based on per-pixel chlorophyll content (depth of 0.68 micrometer absorption band) and dryness (fit and depth of leaf biochemical absorptions in the shortwave infrared spectral region). The vegetation results can be used to estimate the abundance of fire fuels at the time of data acquisition (2002 and 2003). The AVIRIS- and ASTER-derived mineral mapping results can be readily compared using the toggleable layers in the GeoPDF file, and by using the provided GIS-ready raster datasets. The results relating to mineral occurrence and distribution were an important source of data for studies documenting the effects of mining and un-mined, altered rocks on aquatic ecosystems at the watershed level. These studies demonstrated a high correlation between metal concentrations in streams and the presence of hydrothermal alteration and (or) pyritic mine waste as determined by analysis of the map products presented herein. The mineral mapping results were also used to delineate permissive areas for various mineral deposit types.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 36.9924° to 41.0034° latitude; -109.0603° to -102.0409° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Barnaby W. Rockwell. 2013. Comparative mineral mapping in the Colorado Mineral Belt using AVIRIS and ASTER remote sensing data. https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3256

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