Improving lineament mapping using RISAT-1 SAR data, Nagpur and surrounding area in central India.

Area of Science:

• Geology
• Remote Sensing
• Geophysics

Background:

• Lineaments are crucial geological features, including faults and fold axes, often identified using remote sensing.
• Optical remote sensing data (e.g., Landsat) are commonly used but limited in vegetated tropical regions like India.
• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) offers potential for improved lineament mapping due to its ground-penetrating capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of SAR data for geological lineament mapping in India.
• To investigate the benefits of merging SAR and optical remote sensing data for enhanced lineament detection.
• To provide a more comprehensive approach for preliminary geophysical survey planning.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing RISAT-1 SAR data for lineament identification in Indian regions.
• Comparing lineaments mapped from SAR data with those from optical data (Resourcesat-1 & 2).
• Analyzing merged SAR and optical datasets to assess synergistic improvements in mapping.

Main Results:

• SAR data demonstrates significant potential for mapping lineaments obscured by vegetation in optical imagery.
• Merged SAR and optical data provide more complete and accurate lineament maps compared to individual datasets.
• The study validates SAR's utility as an economical and efficient tool for preliminary geological assessments.

Conclusions:

• Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data is a valuable tool for overcoming limitations in optical remote sensing for lineament mapping in vegetated areas.
• Merging SAR and optical data enhances the detection and mapping of geological lineaments, improving preliminary geophysical survey planning.
• The availability of RISAT-1 SAR data offers immense potential for geological studies across India.