ALBERT

Description: The NASA Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) has been successfully used for the remote identification of a variety of soil and aggregate deposits in vegetated areas of two states. Over three million cubic meters of gravel deposits were identified from the imagery during a two year period. Verification was accomplished by ground reconnaissance using drilling machinery and by ground instrumentation. The method has been used to differentiate between fine and coarse grained soils, and gravel deposits. The deposits were found to have been naturally sorted according to grain size by depositional processes, providing each deposit with distinct spectral qualities. It was found that the masking effects of relatively dense vegetation were largely overcome by using imagery acquired at higher altitudes above terrain than 9000 meters, due to loss of resolution of the finer detail. The mechanics of image resolution are discussed, a method of data analysis used is described, and sample spectral signatures are illustrated.

Description: Multiband radiometric data from an airborne imaging thermal scanner are being studied for use in finding buried gravel deposits. The techniques are based on measuring relative differences in the thermal properties between gravel-laden targets and the surrounding gravelless background. These properties are determined from modeling the spectral radiant emittance recorded over both types of surfaces in conjunction with ground measurements of the most significant heat flows above and below the surface. Thermodynamic properties of sampled materials from control sites are determined, and diurnal and annual subsurface heat waves are recorded. Thermal models that account for heat exchange at the surface, as well as varying levels of soil moisture, humidity, and vegetation, are needed for adaptation and modification to simulate the physical and radiative environments of this region.

Description: The abundance of gravel deposits is well known in certain areas across the Gulf of Mexico coastal plain, including lands within several National Forests. These Pleistocene gravels were deposited following periods of glacial buildup when ocean levels were down and the main river channels had cut deep gorges, leaving the subsidiary streams with increased gradients to reach the main channels. During the warm interglacial periods that followed each glaciation, melting ice brought heavy rainfall and torrents of runoff carrying huge sediment loads that separated into gravel banks below these steeper reaches where abraiding streams, developed. As the oceans rose again, filling in the main channels, these abraiding areas were gradually flattened and covered over by progressively finer material. Older terraces were uplifted by tectonic movements associated with the Gulf Coastal Plain, and the subsequent erosional processes gradually brought the gravels closer to the surface. The study area is located on the Kisatchie National Forest, in central Louisiana, near Alexandria. Details of the full study have been discussed elsewhere. The nearest source of chert is in the Ouachita Mountains located to the northeast. The Ouachita River flows south, out of these mountains, and in Pleistocene times probably carried these chert gravels into the vicinity of the present day Little River Basin which lies along the eastern boundary of the National Forest. Current day drainages cross the National Forest from west to east, emptying into the Little River on the east side. However, a north-south oriented ridge of hills along the west side of the Forest appears to be a recent uplift associated with the hinge line of the Mississippi River depositional basin further to the east, and 800,000 years ago, when these gravels were first deposited during the Williana interglacial period, the streams probably flowed east to west, from the Little River basin to the Red River basin on the west side of the Forest. Within the National Forest and north of Alexandria, along Fish Creek, and east and west of an area known as Breezy Hill, exist several small, worked out gravel pits on privately owned blocks of land, formerly used by the state and county road departments. The pattern presented by these pits gives the impression of a series of north-south drainages lacing through the Forest, probable tributaries to Fish Creek which flows south of east from the west side of the Forest to empty into the Little River. Because of this predominant north-south pattern, no consideration was given to areas between these drainages during early gravel exploration efforts.

Description: A method was discussed for using 6 band thermal imagery to locate subsurface gravel deposits in vegetated areas. Geologic history is reviewed to select potential areas of study. An overflight was made using a thermal scanner. The data were processed with a computerized system to delineate areas showing a quartz signature radiated by a gravel deposit. The method was developed during a search for gravel on National Forest land in Louisiana. Processed data from thermal imagery was compared with known gravel deposits and exploratory drill hole logs. A high correlation was noted for a wide range of deposits, from commercial pits to trace deposits only a foot thick. Overburden at these sites varied from zero to sixty feet, near the maximum annual penetration by the thermal wave. It was concluded that the method can be used to locate buried gravel deposits and that more time and effort are needed to verify the usefulness for developing gravel pits adjacent to proposed construction sites.