Integration of Radar and Landsat Imagery for Structural Analysis

R. L. Dodge

Radar imagery contains information on texture, structural orientation, and topography that augments data interpretable from Landsat Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper data. Integrating data available from these two remote-sensing systems results in a more complete interpretation of surface features related to subsurface structures.

Examples of improved interpretation emphasize the importance of radar's variable illumination azimuth for recognizing structural trends in addition to those seen on Landsat data. Also, textural detail and increased resolution from radar imagery improve the interpretability of fracture patterns and fracture density, and high resolution and variable illumination angle enhance topographic detail and recognition of structurally controlled topography. Tonal variations in the visible-near infrared, seen on Landsat data, can be related to fracture density, structurally controlled soil moisture conditions, and structurally controlled topography. Integrating the surface expression of structural features on the two types of data results in better maps of the surface expression of subsurface str ctures. Examples presented illustrate applications of such integrated analysis.

Data from Landsat and radar sensors can be integrated visually, during the interpretation process, or digitally. Both approaches have advantages; visual integration is more practical for regional analysis, and digital integration can be applied in high-graded areas.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91043©1986 AAPG Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, June 15-18, 1986.