A NEW SPECTRAL-SPATIAL SUBSPACE CLUSTERING ALGORITHM FOR HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGE ANALYSIS

We apply multi-range hyperspectral imaging on drill core material from a Kupferschiefer-type Cu–Ag deposit in Germany, mapping minerals such as iron oxides, kaolinite, sulfate, and carbonates at millimetre resolution and in a rapid, cost-efficient, and continuous manner to track hydrothermal fluid flow paths and vectors towards base metal deposits in sedimentary basins.

We integrate UAS-based magnetic and multispectral data with legacy exploration data of a Ni–Cu–PGE prospect on Disko Island, West Greenland. The basalt unit has a complex magnetization, and we use a constrained 3D magnetic vector inversion to estimate magnetic properties and spatial dimensions of the target unit. Our 3D modelling reveals a horizontal sheet and a strong remanent magnetization component. We highlight the advantage of UAS use in rugged and remote terrain.

Novel methods for mineral exploration play an important role in future resource exploration. The methods have to be environmentally friendly, socially accepted and cost effective by integrating multidisciplinary methodologies. We investigate the potential of passive, ambient noise tomography combined with 3D airborne electromagnetics for mineral exploration in Geyer, Germany. We show that the combination of the two geophysical data sets has promising potential for future mineral exploration.

We present a library of high-resolution laser-induced fluorescence (LiF) reference spectra using the Smithsonian rare earth phosphate standards for electron microprobe analysis. With the recurring interest in rare earth elements (REEs), LiF may provide a powerful tool for their rapid and accurate identification. Applications of the spectral LiF library to natural materials such as rocks could complement the spectroscopy-based toolkit for innovative, non-invasive exploration technologies.

We use a geomorphic approach in order to unravel the recent tectonic evolution of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and Maya Mountains (northern Central America). Our results highlight elevated relict landscapes that are characterized by a low-amplitude relief. The distribution of these landscapes results from a tectonic control. We combine our results with published GPS and seismotectonic data in order to extend existing geodynamic models of the North American–Caribbean–Cocos plate boundary.

A semi-distributed hydrological model is used to analyse the hydrological cycle of a glaciated high-mountain catchment in the Pamirs. We overcome data scarcity by utilising various raster data sets as meteorological input. Temperature in combination with the amount of snow provided in winter play the key role in the annual cycle. This implies that expected Earth surface processes along precipitation and altitude gradients differ substantially.