| Title | An emerging paradigm for surficial geological mapping of Arctic Canada at the Geological Survey of Canada |
| |
| Author | Russell, H A J ;
Broscoe, D; Giroux, D; Grunsky, E; Harris, J; Kerr, D; Lesemann, J; Parkinson, W; Richardson, M; Sharpe, D R |
| Source | 39th Annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum, abstracts of talks and posters; by Fischer, B J; Watson, D M; Northwest Territories Geoscience Office, Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Abstracts Volume vol. 2011,
2011 p. 117-118  Open Access |
| Links | Online - En ligne
|
| Image |  |
| Year | 2011 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20110218 |
| Meeting | 39th annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum; Yellowknife; CA; November 15-17, 2011 |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Nunavut; Yukon; Northwest Territories |
| Subjects | surficial geology/geomorphology; geophysics; mapping techniques; computer mapping; remote sensing; terrain analysis; digital terrain modelling; glacial deposits; glacial features; glacial landforms;
LANDSAT; Cenozoic; Quaternary |
| Program | GEM: Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals GEM Tri-Territorial Information management & Databases (Remote Predictive Mapping / Mineral Resource
Assessment) |
| Abstract | Terrain analysis of glaciated terrains is approaching a 'tipping point' as remotely sensed digital data and digital elevation models become more available and cost-effective alternatives to aerial
photographs. The challenge in remote predictive mapping (RPM) of glaciated landscapes is recognition of the series of complex steps in the traditional cogitative terrain analysis process and encapsulating them within computational workflows based on
image analysis and statistical modelling. Within the SMART (Systematic Mapping of Arctic Canada by Remote Techniques) project of Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals Program (GEMS), a methodology and data handling framework is being developed to
improve mapping productivity.
SMART mapping is a complex challenge that involves: i)development of a science language for glaciated terrain, ii) integration of expert knowledge and legacy datasets, iii) parsing knowledge into machine operable
components (morphology, texture, shape etc.), iv) classification of attributes, v) evaluation of various geoscience data types (i.e. remotely sensed , topographic and various calculated derivative images) for surficial mapping and vi) statistical
analysis, modelling and expert systems integration of the diverse landscape attributes within a geoscience data stack. Morphology, for example, is being extracted through analysis of Digital Elevation Model data and derivatives. This work forms
the basis for specific landform analysis (e.g. eskers) and as a component of the data stack. Material (texture, lithology) types are primarily being captured using remotely sensed data (LANDSAT, Radar) in concert with pixel-to-pixel-based
classification algorithms (e.g. Robust Classification Method (RCM))
Lake shape and landforms are being analyzed using form statistics and object-orientated, landscape-segmentation techniques. Spatial association of various landform metrics
provides a challenge that is being undertaken using density functions and integration of specific expert interpreted data layers (drumlin, esker, etc.). Integration of this diverse suite of data layers is being completed using several techniques,
including: statistical approaches, decision trees, fuzzy sets, and expert system approaches.
Two specific case studies are highlighted that represent new approaches to surficial geological mapping depending upon terrain complexity, study area
scale, data availability and study resources. The Central Baffin case study illustrates mapping a large area at a scale of 1: 500,000 from LANDSAT and DEM derivatives: it serves as a proto-type for the SMART 'grey space' mapping initiative as well
as the GEM Tri-Territorial Surficial Geology Compilation Project. A more detailed and modelling-intensive approach is being applied in the McKay Lake (75M) case study near Great Slave Lake using DEM, SPOT 4, LANDSAT data and a fuzzy set modelling
approach. These examples illustrate the process from an initial predictive surficial materials map to a derivative predictive surficial geology map which can then be used as an aid to field-supported mapping. The transition from cognitive
interpretation and recording of terrain elements to semi-automated approaches is a considerable challenge that requires careful consideration of the conceptual and semantic models employed by the geologists. The requirement to revisit the
classification lexicon of glacial landscapes, landforms and geological legends will result in improved perspectives and understanding of the signatures and processes of the glaciated landscape of northern Canada derived from remote predictive
mapping. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 289304 |
|
|