Geothermal Activity Mapping Using Thermal IR Line Scanner Imagery

Abstract

Mapping accurately, pixel by pixel, the thermal infrared surface expression of a geothermal field provides the necessary factual document of the extent and condition of the field. Such documentation becomes reference material for future monitoring and geothermal area change detection surveys. The Daedalus airborne multispectral scanner is a spinning mirror line scanner, similar in construction and specification to the LANDSAT TM 4 and 5 satellites, which include the thermal infrared spectral band of 8.5 to 14 um. Pre-dawn thermal IR surveys is a well established mapping routine to locate and identi@ the ground-surface thermal features associated with structural geology lineaments and faults, ground percolating waters, underground coal fires, buried palaeochannels, geothermal activity and underground pipeline reticulation lines.