NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Spectral characterization of igneous rocks in the 8- to 12-micron regionThis paper investigates the crystal-chemistry basis for the variation in spectral behavior of ingneous rocks, with the purpose of developing relationships useful for applications in the lithologic characterization of terrestrial and extraterrestrial surfaces. A new parameter is proposed for characterizing general rock and mineral type. The parameter, SCFM, defined as the ratio SiO2/(SiO2 + CaO + FeO + MgO), reflects the degree of depolymerization of the silica tetrahedra in both fine-grained and coarse-grained igneous rocks, and is a good descriptor of the composition of these rocks. Using spectra obtained in the laboratory on coarse-particulate mineral and solid-rock samples, the SCFM parameter was used to assess the effects of variations in the rock composition on the location, number, and width of spectral bands. A regression analysis of bands varying in width from 0.2 micron to 1.4 microns versus the SCFM value resulted in correlation coefficients ranging from 0.88 to 0.97.
Document ID
19890059908
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Walter, Louis S.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Salisbury, John W.
(USGS Reston, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
July 10, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 94
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
89A47279
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available