Quantifying Metamorphic Processes With Remote Sensing and Field Spectroscopy

EAR-0003453杜克变质过程包括岩石在地壳温度和压力升高时发生的化学和物理变化。变质作用是控制元素在固体地球、海洋和大气中分布的长期循环的组成部分。这项研究探讨了反射光谱在可见光和近红外波段(350-2500 nm)作为表征变质岩矿物学和生成矿物分布图的另一种方法的应用。与传统的测绘方法相比，光谱方法有两个明显的优势：1)获取光谱的速度快，成本低；2)可以使用便携式光谱仪进行现场测量，也可以使用飞机或卫星成像光谱仪进行远程测量。在该项目中，正在开发利用先进的机载和卫星遥感数据绘制变质矿物分布图的方法，这些数据是通过与美国航天局的独特伙伴关系提供的。然而，在这一研究项目下开发的测绘方法可用于解决许多其他地球科学问题，目前正在矿藏勘探、植被分类和土地覆盖变化以及森林资源监测的研究中加以实施。

EAR-0003453DukeMetamorphic processes include the chemical and physical transformations that occur to rocks subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures in the earth's crust. Metamorphic processes are an integral part of the long-term cycles that control the distribution of elements among the solid earth, oceans, and atmosphere. This research examines the application of reflectance spectroscopy in the visible and near infrared wavelength region (350-2500 nm) as an alternative method for characterizing the mineralogy of metamorphic rocks and generating maps of mineral distribution. Spectroscopic methods offer two distinct advantages relative to conventional mapping methods: 1) acquisition of spectra is rapid and inexpensive, and 2) measurements can be made in the field with portable spectrometers or remotely with aircraft or satellite based imaging spectrometers. In this project, methods are being developed to map the distribution of metamorphic minerals using advanced airborne and satellite-based remote sensing data, which are being provided through a unique partnership with NASA. Mapping methods being developed under this research project, however, can be applied to address many other earth science problems and are currently being implemented in studies of mineral deposit exploration, vegetation classification and land cover change, and forestry resource monitoring.