Spectroscopic remote sensing for geological applications

Remote sensing is being used with increasing frequency in the development of geologic maps and in the exploration process. Spectral data from airborne and spaceborne multispectral scanners provide information on rock type and vegetation stress, important in geologic applications. Emphasis is now being placed on direct identification of materials rather than discrimination among geologic units. To do this, higher spectral resolution systems with wider spectral coverage than currently available are required. Imaging spectroscopy in the 0.4 - 14 microns region appears to be the answer.