Thermal Infrared Investigations, Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma

Research Article| December 01, 1970 Thermal Infrared Investigations, Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma L. C ROWAN; L. C ROWAN U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar T. W OFFIELD; T. W OFFIELD U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar KENNETH WATSON; KENNETH WATSON U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P. J CANNON; P. J CANNON U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. D WATSON R. D WATSON U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (1970) 81 (12): 3549–3562. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[3549:TIIAMO]2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 25 Feb 1970 rev-recd: 07 Jul 1970 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation L. C ROWAN, T. W OFFIELD, KENNETH WATSON, P. J CANNON, R. D WATSON; Thermal Infrared Investigations, Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma. GSA Bulletin 1970;; 81 (12): 3549–3562. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1970)81[3549:TIIAMO]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Thermal-infrared images obtained on flights over the Tishomingo anticline and South Flank areas near Mill Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma, were used to study the possibility of identifying some common rock types from their diagnostic reflection and emission characteristics, and to evaluate the usefulness of infrared images in structural geologic investigations. The areas flown are underlain by folded and faulted Paleozoic dolomite, limestone, sandstone, shale, and Precambrian granite.Images were obtained at 6:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m. The predawn (6:00 a.m.) image is the most useful in distinguishing rock types. Of particular interest is a thermal contrast of dolomite (warm) and limestone (cool), sufficient to distinguish those rock types and to reveal facies changes between them. Theoretical considerations indicate that this thermal contrast arises from a combination of albedo and thermal-inertia characteristics distinctive of dolomites and limestones in many areas.The daytime images display much stratigraphic and structural detail. Small-scale bedding detail is enhanced in the morning images of low-relief areas, and contrasts of alternating formations that form hogbacks and valleys are enhanced in the afternoon images of higher relief areas. The difference in features displayed in morning and afternoon images appears to be a function of the insolation on sunward and shadowed slopes of differing scale. Fault or fracture zones are best displayed in the predawn image; they appear cooler than surrounding ground, because of greater water content and concomitant evaporation. The abundance and throughgoing nature of lineaments (which coincide for the most part with joint systems) are more obvious in the infrared images than in aerial photographs. Lineaments striking northwest are preferentially enhanced in the morning images, and lineaments striking northeast are preferentially shown in the afternoon images. This enhancement cannot be ascribed to the effects of topography, insolation, or wind; it may relate to a combination of ground-water and vegetation effects. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this article.