An Interactive 5-Day Training Course
Photogeology, Remote Sensing & Satellite Interpretation
Mapping Geology From Satellite Imagery
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Duration
5 Days
Price
$ 3,000
Starting From
19 Jul 2027
Home Geology and Geoscience Photogeology, Remote Sensing & Satellite Interpretation
Photogeology, Remote Sensing & Satellite Interpretation
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Photogeology, Remote Sensing & Satellite Interpretation - GG-RS-PEA27
| Code | Date | Time | Duration | Location | Currency | Early Bird Fee Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-RS-PEA27 | 19 - 23 Jul 2027 | 10 AM CST | 4 Hours Per Day |
Online |
USD |
3000 |
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Photogeology, Remote Sensing & Satellite Interpretation
This training covers photogeology and remote sensing for geological interpretation. It works through imagery types and their properties, spectral characteristics of rocks and minerals, image processing and enhancement, structural interpretation from imagery, lithological discrimination, digital elevation data and terrain analysis, radar and thermal data, hydrocarbon and alteration indicators, field verification and the delivery of remote sensing based maps.
Description
Satellite and airborne imagery allows geological mapping over large areas at a fraction of the cost of field work, and in many frontier areas it is the only practical mapping method. Structural trends, lithological boundaries, drainage patterns, alteration zones and in some cases seepage indicators can all be mapped from imagery, and the resulting maps guide field programmes, seismic acquisition and licence evaluation. The interpretation requires understanding what each sensor measures and what can legitimately be inferred from it.
This training covers remote sensing for geological interpretation. Imagery types and their properties are established first, covering spatial, spectral and temporal resolution and the trade-offs between them. Spectral characteristics of rocks and minerals follow, covering the absorption features that make discrimination possible. Image processing and enhancement are then developed, covering the operations that make geological features visible. Structural interpretation from imagery follows in detail, since it is the most reliable and most widely used application. Lithological discrimination is then addressed. Digital elevation data and terrain analysis follow. Radar and thermal data are then developed. Hydrocarbon and alteration indicators follow. Field verification is addressed. The training closes with delivery.
Structural interpretation from imagery is the most reliable application and the easiest to learn. Faults, fold axes, bedding traces, lineaments and drainage anomalies produce clear expressions in imagery and in terrain data, and mapping them gives a structural framework over a whole basin at a consistency that field mapping cannot match. The main discipline required is distinguishing genuine structural features from artefacts, from vegetation and land use boundaries and from the processing itself, which comes with practice and with careful attention to whether a lineament has geological expression beyond a straight line.
Spectral discrimination of lithologies depends on absorption features in specific wavelengths. Clay minerals, carbonates, iron oxides and hydroxyl-bearing minerals each absorb at characteristic wavelengths in the shortwave infrared, which is why multispectral and hyperspectral sensors can distinguish them. Band ratios and indices designed around these features highlight specific mineral groups. The method works best in arid terrain with exposed rock and poorly or not at all under vegetation, soil cover or weathering rinds, which limits where it applies.
Digital elevation data is often more informative than the imagery. Terrain expresses geology: differential erosion produces ridges on resistant units, drainage adjusts to structure, fault scarps and fold geometry are directly visible, and dip can be estimated from the relationship between bedding traces and topography. Freely available global elevation data at thirty metre resolution, and higher resolution commercial data, support structural mapping that would be difficult from imagery alone. Combining the two, with hillshade under transparent imagery, is the standard working display.
Finally, remote sensing indications of hydrocarbons require caution. Surface anomalies attributed to seepage include bleached or reddened soils, anomalous vegetation stress, carbonate cementation and specific spectral signatures, and genuine cases are documented. The difficulty is that each of these has many non-hydrocarbon causes, the anomalies are subtle, and the literature contains a large number of claimed detections that did not survive drilling. Such indications are worth investigating as one input among several, and they are not evidence on which to commit expenditure.
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Select imagery types appropriate to a geological mapping objective
- Apply knowledge of spectral characteristics of rocks and minerals
- Process and enhance imagery for geological interpretation
- Map structural features from imagery and terrain data
- Distinguish genuine features from artefacts and cultural effects
- Discriminate lithologies using spectral methods where applicable
- Analyse digital elevation data and derive terrain products
- Apply radar and thermal data to geological problems
- Assess claimed hydrocarbon and alteration indicators critically
- Plan field verification and deliver remote sensing based maps
The training is interpretation practice on satellite imagery and elevation data from several geological settings. Participants process and enhance imagery, map structure and lithology, and compare their interpretations against published geological maps and field data. Claimed seepage anomalies are examined against the subsequent drilling results.
Organisations sending participants to this training will:
- Map frontier areas before committing to field work
- Build structural frameworks from imagery and terrain data
- Target field programmes and seismic acquisition effectively
- Discriminate lithologies where conditions allow
- Assess remote sensing claims critically
- Reduce the cost of reconnaissance mapping
Participants will:
- Select and process appropriate imagery
- Map structure from imagery and terrain
- Discriminate lithologies spectrally
- Analyse digital elevation data
- Assess anomaly claims critically
- Deliver remote sensing based geological maps
- Exploration geologists working frontier areas
- Structural geologists mapping at regional scale
- Geoscientists planning field programmes
- New ventures staff evaluating acreage
- GIS and spatial data staff
- Mineral and energy transition exploration staff
- Technical staff assessing remote sensing studies
Module 1 - Imagery Types and Properties
- Electromagnetic spectrum and sensing
- Passive and active sensors
- Spatial resolution and its implications
- Spectral resolution and bands
- Multispectral against hyperspectral
- Temporal resolution and revisit
- Radiometric resolution
- Satellite platforms and their characteristics
- Landsat, Sentinel and commercial systems
- Airborne and drone acquisition
- Historical aerial photography
- Data sources, cost and licensing
Module 2 - Spectral Characteristics
- Reflectance spectra of minerals
- Absorption features and their causes
- Iron oxide and hydroxide features
- Clay mineral absorption features
- Carbonate absorption features
- Hydroxyl bearing minerals
- Vegetation spectral signature
- Soil and weathering effects
- Spectral libraries and their use
- Field spectrometry
- Mixing and sub-pixel effects
- Limits of spectral discrimination
Module 3 - Image Processing
- Radiometric and atmospheric correction
- Geometric correction and orthorectification
- Contrast stretching and histogram methods
- Band combinations and false colour
- Band ratios
- Mineral indices
- Principal component analysis
- Decorrelation stretch
- Spectral unmixing
- Filtering and edge enhancement
- Image fusion and pan sharpening
- Mosaicking and seamless products
Module 4 - Structural Interpretation
- Bedding trace recognition
- Dip estimation from trace and topography
- Fold geometry from outcrop patterns
- Fault recognition criteria
- Scarps and displacement indicators
- Lineament mapping
- Distinguishing geological from cultural lineaments
- Drainage pattern analysis
- Drainage anomalies and structural control
- Fracture and joint mapping
- Regional structural synthesis
- Avoiding over-interpretation
Module 5 - Lithological Mapping
- Lithological discrimination criteria
- Tone, texture and pattern
- Erosional expression of rock types
- Spectral discrimination application
- Sedimentary sequence mapping
- Igneous and volcanic unit mapping
- Metamorphic terrain mapping
- Evaporite recognition
- Alteration zone mapping
- Mapping under cover and its limits
- Vegetation as an obstacle and an indicator
- Classification and its validation
Module 6 - Elevation and Terrain
- Digital elevation model sources
- Global elevation data and its resolution
- Commercial high resolution data
- Lidar and photogrammetric data
- Stereo imagery and elevation extraction
- Hillshade and relief visualisation
- Slope and aspect analysis
- Curvature and morphometric analysis
- Drainage extraction
- Three dimensional visualisation
- Combining elevation with imagery
- Terrain analysis for structural mapping
Module 7 - Radar and Thermal Data
- Radar imaging principles
- Wavelength and penetration
- Polarisation and its information
- Radar texture and roughness
- Interferometric radar and deformation
- InSAR for subsidence monitoring
- Radar in vegetated and cloudy terrain
- Thermal infrared sensing
- Thermal inertia and rock properties
- Day and night thermal differences
- Geothermal anomaly detection
- Applications and their limitations
Module 8 - Indicators, Verification and Delivery
- Surface indications of hydrocarbons
- Soil bleaching and reddening
- Vegetation stress anomalies
- Carbonate cementation anomalies
- Documented cases and failures
- Alteration indicators in mineral exploration
- Assessing anomaly claims critically
- Field verification planning
- Ground truthing and sampling
- Interpretation revision after field work
- Map compilation and deliverables
- Integrating with other data in play assessment
Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.
Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
All course bookings made through PEA are strictly non-refundable. By registering for a course, you acknowledge and accept that all fees are payable in full and are not subject to refund under any circumstances, including changes in personal or professional commitments or partial attendance.
PEA reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to course content, trainers, or schedules where necessary, without entitling delegates to a refund. Comprehensive details of each course — including objectives, target audience, and content — are clearly outlined before enrolment, and it is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure the course's suitability prior to booking.
For any inquiries related to cancellations or bookings, please contact our support team, who will be happy to assist you.
