Application of ASTER data in the identification of alteration zones - related to mineralization around Wadi El Milk, North Kordofan, Sudan

Abstract

Abstract: Hydrothermal alteration zones- related to mineralization can be identified and discriminated based on distinctive spectral properties that appears in ASTER satellite data. The image processing techniques are mostly used for medium to regional scale geological mapping. In this study, we aimed to conduct a more exploration studies by utilizing the ASTER data to enhance and delineate the hydrothermal alteration zones - related to mineralization in North Kordofan, Sudan. In this work, resampled and co-registered ASTER (VNIR- SWIR) data have been used. The obtained co- registered nine bands (VNIR-SWIR) were subjected to different methods of spectral indices and spectral analysis techniques such as Spectral Analysis Mapper. The spectral mineral indices (hematite, Alunite, Kaolinite and Muscovite Mineral Indices) results were found conformable with results of Spectral Angle Mapper Classifier (SAM) for the same minerals. However, SAM rule images and vector format yielded an overall good discrimination of the four minerals indicating the alteration zones- related to mineralization.