Track 2) Integrated remote sensing and GIS for tectonics, resources, and the environment 

Environmental Earth System Science includes mapping Earth surface materials, aimed at understanding bedrock, soil types, land use, vegetation, mineral deposits, and many other surface features, and then to modeling the effects that these features have on people and economies. Remote sensing and GIS are extremely powerful tools for regional geologic, tectonic, and mineral studies (e.g. Kusky and Ramadan, 2003), since the imagery can be used to extend observations about the characteristics of features from specific locations to broad areas. If one rock, soil, or mineral deposit type is mapped in a specific location and its spectral reflection characteristics in satellite images determined, then areas with similar characteristics may be delineated. We have used and pioneered techniques for using satellite imagery for regional tectonic analysis, mineral exploration, water exploration, and mapping faults and geological hazards (e.g., Kusky and Ramadan, 2003).

Orbital remote sensing technology has progressed to advanced levels of practical application, particularly with respect to optical and radar imagery. Orbital optical imagery can be utilized to map lithological details as well as for identifying mineral deposits (Sabins, 1997; Kusky and Ramadan, 2002, Kusky et al., 2006a, b) and water resources (Robinson et al., 2006). Imaging radar is useful in mapping structures as well as estimating surface roughness that can be used to identify lithology (Abdelsalam and Stern, 1996; Inzana et al., 2003). New orbital sensors are planned for the next few years to obtain better spectral and spatial resolution and new data. In addition, recent data from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) has successfully imaged and mapped the topography of the Earth's surface between 60'N and 60'S using C-band (6 cm wavelength) radar. These data are uniquely powerful for characterizing active tectonic and geomorphological features, and for monitoring geological hazards and environmental changes (e.g. Kusky et al., 2006). In the SLU Center for Environmental Science we will link methods of utilizing satellite imagery with new, potentially more powerful remote sensing techniques and higher resolution active sensor SAR images to delineate structures in order to understand the tectonic evolution and hazards at several places around the world. Current faculty projects that students could join include working with the USGS on global metallogeny determining characteristics of mineral deposits in different tectonic settings (http://minerals.usgs.gov/west/projects/slabdel.shtml) including parts of North America, Africa, Australia, Arabia, China, and Europe. Another project involves mapping and mineral exploration in Madagascar, helping to wisely develop one of the world's poorest nations. Other projects include working with an international group of geologists on a project aimed at understanding Earth Accretionary Systems with time, focusing on Pacific-style orogenic belts and how processes in these belts contribute to the growth of continents (http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/TMKusky/id36.htm), and other projects are aimed at estimating hydrocarbon resource potential in parts of Asia.