HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING IN MINERAL EXPLORATION: AMMONIUM-ILLITE AS A PATHFINDER FOR GOLD
Browning, David Allan. (2014). HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING IN MINERAL EXPLORATION: AMMONIUM-ILLITE AS A PATHFINDER FOR GOLD. Theses and Dissertations Collection, University of Idaho Library Digital Collections. https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/etd/items/browning_idaho_0089m_10209.html
- Title:
- HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING IN MINERAL EXPLORATION: AMMONIUM-ILLITE AS A PATHFINDER FOR GOLD
- Author:
- Browning, David Allan
- Date:
- 2014
- Keywords:
- Ammonium Carlin Gold Mineral Exploration Remote Sensing
- Program:
- Geology
- Subject Category:
- Geology; Remote sensing
- Abstract:
-
The presence of ammonium-illite on the Earth's surface has been correlated to known deposits via structures at Carlin-type gold deposits, suggesting its importance as a vector for gold ore. Additionally, ammonium-illite has often been proposed as a geochemical exploration tool due to its formation in hydrothermal systems. Very little work has focused on ammonium-illite as an exploration tool due to the costly, time-consuming, and often inaccurate methods of ammonium detection, such as wet chemical methods or X-Ray Diffraction. Short-wave infrared reflectance spectroscopy has the ability to detect even trace amounts of ammonium quickly and effectively.
Two hyperspectral surveys were performed in Elko County, Nevada, USA. The hyperspectral images were processed to identify several clay anomalies, including ammonium-illite, on a regional exploration scale, while field trothing of an existing claim block showed a spatial relationship between ammonium-illite and gold soil anomalies.
- Description:
- masters, M.S., Geology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2014
- Major Professor:
- Isaacson, Peter
- Committee:
- Gunter, Mickey; Mateer, Melissa
- Defense Date:
- 2014
- Identifier:
- Browning_idaho_0089M_10209
- Type:
- Text
- Format Original:
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Rights:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. For more information, please contact University of Idaho Library Special Collections and Archives Department at libspec@uidaho.edu.
- Standardized Rights:
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/