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LANDSAT IMAGERY FOR SURFACE-MINE INVENTORY

To determine the feasibility of using Landsat imagery for surface-mine inventory, particularly as it applies to coal, a case study was conducted in Maryland. Two digital analysis methods were applied to this problem. The first was a four-band analysis distinguishing various strip-mine-associated classes and conditions. This method proved useful, but has limited extendibility over a seasonal or annual period. In the second approach, a band-ratio method was developed for measuring disturbed surface areas, and it proved to be both temporally and geographically extendible. This method was used to measure area changes in the region over three time periods from September 1972 through July 1974 and to map the entire two-county area for 1973. For mines ranging between 31 and 244 areas (12 to 98 hectares) in area, the measurement accuracy of total affected acreage was determined to be 92 percent. Mines of 120 acres (50 hectares) and larger were measured with greater accuracy, some within one percent of the actual area. The ability to identify, classify, and measure strip-mine surfaces in two-county area (1541 square kilometers, 595 square miles) of western Maryland has been demonstrated through the use of computer processing. The use of Landsat satellite data together with multi-level sampling of aircraft and field verification inspections, has shown multispectral analysis of digital data to be an effective, rapid, and accurate means of monitoring the surface mining cycle. The State of Maryland has incorporated into its monitoring program the results from this rapid and reliable method of large-area inventory from the Landsat band-ratio analysis. Using Landsat-derived maps, the State Geological Survey is attempting to determine priority reclamation needs for orphan (pre-1967) mines and derive information for planning and control of environmental quality in the strip-mine regions. This process is an immediate and cost beneficial response to the need for areal measurement and assessment in a regional planning and management program. As a result of this project, a complete mined-land inventory is presently being incorporated into the State of Maryland mined-land inventory and assessment program. /Author/

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  • Corporate Authors:

    American Society of Photogrammetry

    105 North Virginia Avenue
    Falls Church, VA  United States  22046
  • Authors:
    • Anderson, A T
    • Schultz, D
    • Buchman, N
    • Nock, H M
  • Publication Date: 1977-8

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00164883
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Nov 23 1977 12:00AM