Geospatial database for the spectral characteristics and mapping of lithium-rich playas in the Western U.S. Basin and Range

The data included here were used to evaluate the prospectivity for lithium in brines of playas of the western part of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province of the United States. Prospectivity is derived from the mappable criteria used in the descriptive deposit model published by Bradley and others (2013) and focused mainly from the remote sensing point of view. The playas in the study area have been ranked according to size (compared to Clayton Valley, the only area where lithium from brines is being produced in the country), the presence and abundance of source rocks, vegetation (as an indicator of water), reported prospects, and remote sensing data. The remote sensing products used are from data acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor because it has regional coverage not available with other sensors.