ADVANCING PLANETARY SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH LITHOLOGICAL MAPPING: ASTER REMOTE SENSING IN ANTARCTICA’S DRY VALLEYS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46754/ps.2025.01.002Keywords:
Dry Valleys, Lithological Mapping, Remote Sensing, Planetary Sustainability, Antarctica, Sustainable ExplorationAbstract
The Dry Valleys of South Victoria Land in Antarctica, one of the most extreme deserts on Earth, offers an unparalleled analog for Martian landscapes and a vital record of Earth's geological history. Characterized by a cold, arid climate and minimal atmospheric moisture, the region's ancient rock formations, including early Paleozoic granitoid plutons, Devonian to Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Beacon Supergroup, and Jurassic basalt flows, provide insights into Earth's evolution. The logistical challenges of traditional field-based geological surveys in this remote and fragile environment emphasize the need for sustainable exploration methods. This study leverages Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing technology to achieve high-resolution lithological mapping while minimizing environmental impact. Image processing techniques such as Band Ratio (BR) analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and the Optimal Index Factor (OIF) were employed to enhance the spectral characterization of lithologies. These approaches facilitated the identification of key lithological units, including sandstone, granite, gneisses, and basaltic flows, and the production of an accurate lithological map. By integrating remote sensing with sustainable scientific practices, this research demonstrates the potential to advance planetary sustainability while uncovering critical geological insights in extreme environments.
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