Mineral Absorption Feature Classification of Northeastern Alberta Using WorldView-3 Multispectral Imagery and Reflectance Spectra Collected in the Field (image data, GeoTIFF format)

Reflectance spectra collected in the field were utilized to create a mineral absorption feature classification map using WorldView-3 multispectral imagery with 16 bands ranging from 425‒950 nm and 1210‒2330 nm. This map incorporates combinations of more than two absorption features: aluminum-iron-magnesium (AlFeMg), aluminum-hydroxide (AlOH), chlorite spectral maturity (CSM), iron mineral intensity (Fe3i), iron mineral type (Fe3t), illite spectral maturity (ISM), and magnesium hydroxide (MgOH). Such combinations can elucidate geological processes or environments, where the presence of specific features might indicate conditions like hydrothermal alteration, metamorphic grades, or particular mineralization processes. Classes with a higher number of features could provide a comprehensive insight into the geological and geochemical environment, essential for understanding complex deposits such as those containing REE, Li, and U/Th. This map aids in targeting exposed rocks with high-grade metamorphism for mineral exploration and sample collection, complementing geochemical analysis and geological mapping. Please note, this classification map only shows pure pixels of rock outcrop in the imagery by masking non-rock features such as vegetation/lichen, wetland, and shadows.
The mineral absorption feature classification raster contains 8 classes: 1 - AlFeMg-AlOH-CSM-Fe3i-Fe3t-ISM-MgOH, 2 - AlFeMg-AlOH-CSM-FeOH-ISM-MgOH, 3 - AlFeMg-AlOH-CSM-ISM-MgOH, 4 - AlFeMg-AlOH-CSM-MgOH, 5 - AlFeMg-AlOH-Fe3i-MgOH, 6 - AlFeMg-AlOH-FeOH-ISM, 7 - AlFeMg-AlOH-FeOH-MgOH, and 8 - AlFeMg-AlOH-ISM-MgOH.

This work was completed under the Mineral Grant provided by the Government of Alberta dated June 22, 2021.