HR: 1340h
AN: V33C-1481    [Abstracts]
TI: Variations in the Characteristics of Craters of the Moon Lava Flows from Vent to Termination: Remotely Sensed Spectra and Field Observations
AU: * Hobson, V R
EM: vrh@cc.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4505 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-0405 United States
AU: Shervais, J W
EM: shervais@cc.usu.edu
AF: Utah State University, 4505 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-0405 United States
AB: Developing a method to characterize the physical, chemical and temporal aspects of terrestrial volcanics is a necessary step toward studying volcanics on other planetary bodies. Volcanoes and flows close to populated centers have been studied to varying degree, but remote volcanics remain largely unstudied. Remotely sensed data and derived information can be used to select field sites on Earth and on other planets. Scientists studying volcanics in dangerous areas would benefit from as much advance knowledge of the area as possible before beginning fieldwork. By using satellites and other remote sensing methods, information about the eruptive history can be derived and potentially, the hazard these remote volcanic areas may pose to current and future generations can be estimated. Using Landsat TM, ASTER and other remotely sensed data, the extent and characteristics of lava flows can be examined, but verification and refinement of these methods requires collection of data on the ground. Young lava flows at Craters of the Moon National Park were selected to test methods for remote mapping of recent volcanics. These late Pleistocene to Holocene basalt flows have been mapped to 1:100,000 scale (Kuntz et al, 1988) and have only minor vegetative cover. A range of remotely sensed spectral images were combined to optimize recovery of the mapped flows. Major flow units can be distinguished from each other using unsupervised classification of Landsat TM Bands 1-7, but differentiation of flows within these units presents greater difficulty. Principal component analyses revealed that during the daytime, thermal infrared variations outweigh variations in all other bands. Larger-scale features were observed like edge effects attributable to changes in surface roughness or texture that might occur at flow fronts or at boundaries between flows. Using a digitized version of the geologic map, TM and ASTER data for individual flows were isolated and examined for changes with distance from the source vent or fissure. Several flows were selected for further examination in the field, based on accessibility and scientific interest.
DE: 8450 Planetary volcanism (5480)
DE: 8499 General or miscellaneous
DE: 5464 Remote sensing
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting