Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping Training Course

Introduction

Understanding the Earth's geological composition and structure is fundamental for a vast array of critical applications, including natural resource exploration (minerals, oil, gas, groundwater), hazard assessment (earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes), engineering geology, and environmental management. Traditional geological mapping relies heavily on arduous field surveys, which can be time-consuming, expensive, logistically challenging in remote or inaccessible terrains, and often limited in their spatial extent. Remote Sensing technology offers a revolutionary approach to Geological Mapping, providing a synoptic, repetitive, and non-invasive means to systematically observe and analyze the Earth's surface and near-surface properties from a distance. Satellite and airborne sensors can capture a wealth of information across various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, revealing details about lithology, structural features (faults, folds, lineaments), alteration zones, and geomorphological expressions that are indicative of underlying geology. From identifying potential mineral deposits and mapping geological hazards to characterizing rock types and understanding regional tectonic settings, remote sensing provides objective, timely, and cost-effective insights. Without the specialized skills to acquire, process, and interpret remotely sensed data for geological applications, geologists, exploration scientists, and environmental consultants would be limited in their ability to conduct efficient and comprehensive geological surveys, leading to missed opportunities and suboptimal decision-making. Many professionals in the geosciences recognize the immense potential of satellite data but lack the practical expertise to translate raw imagery into actionable insights for effective geological mapping.

Conversely, mastering Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping empowers professionals to rapidly conduct regional geological surveys, identify target areas for detailed fieldwork, assess geological hazards, and contribute to more efficient and cost-effective resource exploration and land management. This specialized skill set is crucial for transforming raw image data into powerful insights that drive geological discovery, risk mitigation, and sustainable resource utilization. Our intensive 5-day "Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping" training course is meticulously designed to equip geologists, geophysicists, mining engineers, mineral explorationists, environmental geologists, GIS professionals, and researchers with the essential theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on skills required to confidently apply various remote sensing techniques for comprehensive geological mapping and analysis.

Duration

5 Days

Target Audience

The "Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping" training course is ideal for a broad range of professionals and researchers involved in geological studies, natural resource exploration, and hazard assessment. This includes:

  • Geologists and Geological Mappers: Seeking to enhance and accelerate their mapping processes.
  • Mineral and Hydrocarbon Explorationists: For identifying prospective areas and structural controls.
  • Geophysicists: Integrating surface features with subsurface geophysical data.
  • Mining Engineers: For mine planning, slope stability analysis, and environmental monitoring.
  • Environmental Geologists: For assessing geological hazards, land degradation, and groundwater exploration.
  • Civil Engineers and Engineering Geologists: For site investigation, infrastructure planning, and natural hazard assessment.
  • GIS Professionals and Analysts: Specializing in geological applications of remote sensing.
  • Researchers and Academics: In geology, remote sensing, Earth sciences, and related fields.
  • Government Agencies: Involved in geological surveys and natural resource management.
  • Consultants: Providing geological and environmental services.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping" training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental principles of remote sensing as applied to geological mapping.
  • Identify and select appropriate remote sensing data (optical, thermal, SAR) for various geological features and applications.
  • Perform essential pre-processing steps for geological remote sensing imagery.
  • Apply various image enhancement and spectral analysis techniques for lithological discrimination and alteration zone mapping.
  • Utilize remote sensing data for structural geological mapping (faults, folds, lineaments).
  • Integrate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with imagery for geomorphological and structural interpretation.
  • Understand and apply radar (SAR) data for geological mapping, particularly in vegetated or cloud-prone areas.
  • Formulate strategies for integrating remote sensing insights into conventional geological mapping workflows.

 Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Remote Sensing for Geological Applications

  • Overview of geological mapping challenges and the role of remote sensing.
  • Review of remote sensing fundamentals: Electromagnetic spectrum, platforms, sensors.
  • Unique spectral properties of rocks and minerals (absorption features, spectral curves).
  • Introduction to key satellite missions and data types for geological mapping (e.g., Landsat, ASTER, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-1, commercial high-resolution).
  • Integration of remote sensing with GIS for geological analysis.

Module 2: Optical Remote Sensing for Lithological Discrimination

  • Understanding spectral reflectance characteristics of common rock types and soils.
  • Targeting specific absorption features for mineral identification (e.g., clay minerals, iron oxides).
  • Common band combinations for enhancing geological features (e.g., ASTER VNIR/SWIR combinations).
  • Spectral indices for identifying alteration zones associated with mineralization.
  • Practical exercises in enhancing imagery for lithological interpretation.

Module 3: Image Enhancement Techniques for Geological Interpretation

  • Contrast stretching, histogram equalization, and spatial filtering (e.g., edge detection, texture analysis).
  • Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and highlighting geological anomalies.
  • Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) transforms.
  • Decorrelation Stretch for improving color separation in multispectral imagery.
  • Application of filters for highlighting linear features and faults.

Module 4: Structural Geological Mapping with Remote Sensing

  • Identifying and mapping structural features: Faults, fractures, folds, lineaments, shear zones.
  • Utilizing sun angle and illumination for enhancing subtle topographic expressions of structures.
  • Analyzing drainage patterns as indicators of underlying geological structures.
  • Applying remote sensing to understand regional tectonic settings and stress fields.
  • Integrating field observations with remotely sensed structural data.

Module 5: Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and Geomorphological Analysis

  • Sources of DEMs (e.g., SRTM, ASTER GDEM, TanDEM-X, national DEMs, LiDAR).
  • Generating topographic derivatives from DEMs: Slope, aspect, hillshade, curvature.
  • Geomorphological interpretation from DEMs: Landforms, erosional/depositional features, drainage networks.
  • Using DEMs to correct for topographic effects in spectral data.
  • 3D visualization and stereo interpretation for detailed structural mapping.

Module 6: SAR Remote Sensing for Geological Mapping

  • Introduction to SAR principles: Active microwave sensing, all-weather, day/night capabilities.
  • Understanding SAR backscatter response from different geological materials and surfaces.
  • Applications of SAR in geological mapping:
    • Mapping structures in vegetated or cloudy regions.
    • Identifying surface roughness related to rock types or weathering.
    • Detecting ground deformation (conceptual introduction to InSAR for seismic hazards, subsidence).
    • Volcanic activity monitoring.
  • Processing SAR data for geological interpretation.

Module 7: Hyperspectral Remote Sensing for Mineral Mapping

  • Introduction to Hyperspectral Remote Sensing: Many narrow, contiguous spectral bands.
  • Understanding detailed spectral fingerprints of specific minerals.
  • Hyperspectral data processing techniques: Continuum removal, spectral unmixing.
  • Mineral mapping algorithms: Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Spectral Feature Fitting (SFF).
  • Applications: Identification of alteration minerals (e.g., clays, iron oxides) associated with mineral deposits.

Module 8: Integrated Geological Mapping Workflows and Case Studies

  • Integrating multiple remote sensing datasets (optical, thermal, SAR, DEM, hyperspectral).
  • Combining remote sensing data with geophysical data and traditional field data in a GIS environment.
  • Developing a comprehensive remote sensing-based workflow for geological mapping projects.
  • Case studies of remote sensing applications in mineral exploration, hydrocarbon exploration, and geological hazard assessment.
  • Future trends in geological remote sensing: New sensors, AI/Machine Learning, cloud computing.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Remote Sensing For Geological Mapping Training Course in Burkina Faso
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