Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) are important and effective tools for mapping and integration of lithology, geologic and geo-structural mapping, mineral and water exploration, hydrocarbon exploration, natural hazards analysis, geomorphology, soil, drainage, lineament, slope, land use/cover and other related features of a region.
In India, the major projects executed consists of National Geomorphology and Lineament Mapping (NGLM), National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP), Mineral exploration studies for Diamond, Iron, Phosphate Manganese, Bauxite etc., Seasonal Landslide Inventory Mapping (SLIM) and Landslide Susceptibility Zonation (LSZ). In addition to these, operational and research projects in earthquake studies, geotechnical studies, coal fire mapping, geo environmental zonation and planetary studies are also being carried out.
Ground Water Prospects Mapping
The ground water prospects mapping is done in five categories: excellent, good, moderate, low and runoff zone. Excellent and good ground water prospects zones occur in the flood plain, younger and older terraces, and lower piedmont. Moderate to low prospects zones occur in the upper piedmont.
Geological / Geomorphological Mapping
Geological and geomorphological mapping using satellite images form primary inputs to all remote sensing application projects. Identification and updation of broad lithological units, mapping of faults, fractures are essential for hydrogeological, geo-hazard, geo-environment and geo-technical studies. Similarly, geomorphology provides a framework for understanding current and historical behaviour of landform response w.r.t. both long-term and short-term effect on the environment.
Mineral Exploration
Earth observation data provide valuable inputs for mineral exploration. Space borne earth observation data and their derived image products provide scope for mapping the host rock and regional structures contributed in localising mineral deposit. Specialised study using hyperspectral and multispectral satellite data provide valuable information on surface distribution of alteration rocks, cap rocks associated with mineral deposit.
Geo hazard studies
The Geohazard studies are primarily focussed on landslides, earthquakes and volcanoes. High resolution satellite data are used for post disaster damage assessment and landslide inventory preparation in the case of landslide or earthquake.
Geo dynamic studies
Monitoring crustal deformation using advanced space geodetic techniques such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) is useful for analyzing and quantifying seismic hazard in tectonically active areas.
Geo environmental studies
Geo environmental studies deals with the geogenic components like rocks, relief, groundwater and geodynamic phenomena. The complex properties of these components affect the quality of environment and the landscape exploitation.
Mapping of Coal Fire Areas
In order to manage effectively the coal fire menace, it is essential to know the exact location and extent of the fire affected areas. Coal fire mapping has been carried out in India in the past conducting an airborne campaign in 1989 and using Landsat-5 TM data over Jharia coalfield, Jharkhand , Raniganj coalfield, West Bengal in 2001.
Geotechnical Studies
Satellite data are useful for selection of sites for identification hydroelectric dams. For example - High resolution IKONOS data were used for mapping on 1:5,000 scale in Middle project in Arunachal Pradesh. Detail study was carried out using IKONOS data around dam site with emphasis on shear zone identification.
