Use of Landsat multispectral scanner data for the definition of limonitic exposures in heavily vegetated areas

Digital enhancement techniques were found to be ineffective for defining exposed limonite in a Landsat scene covering the heavily vegetated Butte and Dillon, Montana-Idaho, area. Use of statistical by derived mixing models has shown that maximum separability between limonitic rocks and vegetation can be accomplished through the use of a compound (4/5)/(6/7) ratio. This ratio utilizes the spectral information present in all four MSS bands and is particularly sensitive to the spectral contrasts between nonlimonitic rocks, limonitic rocks, and vegetation.--Modified journal abstract.