The role of remote sensing in finding hydrothermal mineral deposits on earth

The identification of surface mineralogical composition using hyperspectral sensors is now the major remote sensing opportunity for exploration geologists seeking refined vectors to potential ore-bearing hydrothermal systems. This involves no less than remote, visible and infrared spectroscopy of the molecular composition of geological materials from remote platforms using a large number of calibrated spectral bands. From field-portable systems to those flying in high-flying aircraft on the edges of space, it is now possible to define a long list of minerals and their weathering products detectable at these wavelengths. These include hydroxyl-bearing minerals such as hydrothermal clays, sulfates, ammonium-bearing minerals, phyllosilicates, iron oxides, carbonates, and a wide range of silicates. Indeed, even the chemical composition of micas and chlorites has been mapped remotely using subtle wavelength shifts in their diagnostic reflectance spectra, indicating varying degrees of Na, K, Al, Mg and Fe substitution. Spatial zones, relative abundances and assemblages of these minerals allow geologists to reconstruct the mineralogical, chemical and sometimes thermal disposition of ancient hydrothermal systems in their search for optimal drilling targets. Such minerals not only result directly from the hydrothermal processes involved but may also 'expose' older host rocks caught up in the process and brought to the surface. New microwave radar systems are also shedding new light on landscape processes, textures and structure and occasionally penetrating dry surface layers to reveal buried structures.