Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Spectral Library

Spectroscopy Lab

Researchers at the USGS Spectroscopy Lab are studying and applying methods for identifying and mapping materials through spectroscopic remote sensing (called imaging spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging,imaging spectrometry, ultraspectral imaging, etc), on the earth and throughout the solar system using laboratory, field, airborne and spacecraft spectrometers.

USGS Digital Spectral Libraries

Collage of spectral library data and spectroscopy laboratory images

Reflectance spectra of minerals, mineral mixtures, rock coatings, liquids, frozen volatiles, organic compounds, manmade materials, vegetation, and other biological materials. You can download the main spectral library

Spectral Library

Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometer Maps

image with bright colors showing the mapping of different minerals

Maps of hyperspectral imaging spectrometer data used to identify and characterize mineral deposits, vegetation, and other land surface features.

Hyperspectral Maps

News

link

Secretary of the Interior Visits Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

link

Spectroscopy Lab Hosts Hyperspectral Imaging-UAS Training

link

U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado School of Mines announce long-term partnership

View All

Publications

The EnMAP imaging spectroscopy mission towards operations

EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) is a high-resolution imaging spectroscopy remote sensing mission that was successfully launched on April 1st, 2022. Equipped with a prism-based dual-spectrometer, EnMAP performs observations in the spectral range between 418.2 nm and 2445.5 nm with 224 bands and a high radiometric and spectral accuracy and stability. EnMAP products, with a ground
Authors
Tobias Storch, Hans-Peter Honold, Sabine Chabrillat, Martin Habermeyer, Paul Tucker, Maximilian Brell, Andreas Ohndorf, Katrin Wirth, Matthias Betz, Michael Kuchler, Helmut Mühle, Emiliano Carmona, Simon Baur, Martin Mücke, Sebastian Löw, Daniel Schulze, Steffen Zimmermann, Christoph Lenzen, Sebastian Wiesner, Saika Aida, Ralph Kahle, Peter Willburger, Sebastian Hartung, Daniele Dietrich, Nicolae Plesia, Mirco Tegler, Katharina Schork, Kevin Alonso, David B. Marshall, Birgit Gerasch, Peter Schwind, Miguel Pato, Mathias Schneider, Raquel de los Reyes, Maximilian Langheinrich, Julian Wenzel, Martin Bachmann, Stefanie Holzwarth, Nicole Pinnel, Luis Guanter, Karl Segl, Daniel Scheffler, Saskia Foerster, Niklas Bohn, Astrid Bracher, Mariana Soppa, Ferran Gascon, Robert O. Green, Raymond F. Kokaly, Jose M. Moreno, Cindy Ong, Manuela Sornig, Ricarda Wernitz, Klaus Bagschik, Detlef Reintsema, Laura La Porta, Anke Schickling, Sebastian Fischer
By
Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab

Hyperspectral remote sensing of white mica: A review of imaging and point-based spectrometer studies for mineral resources, with spectrometer design considerations

Over the past ~30 years, hyperspectral remote sensing of chemical variations in white mica have proven to be useful for ore deposit studies in a range of deposit types. To better understand mineral deposits and to guide spectrometer design, this contribution reviews relevant papers from the fields of remote sensing, spectroscopy, and geology that have utilized spectral changes caused by chemical v
Authors
John Michael Meyer, Elizabeth A. Holley, Raymond F. Kokaly
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab

Multiscale hyperspectral imaging of hydrothermal alteration in Yellowstone National Park, USA

Imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral imaging) data have mainly been used to map surface materials covering relatively small areas from airborne sensors over the past 20+ years. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey Integrated hyperspectral, geophysical and geochemical studies of Yellowstone National Park hydrothermal systems project, we have collected multiscale imaging spectrometer data including
Authors
Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, Keith Eric Livo, John Michael Meyer, JoAnn Holloway
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab
View All

Science

link
Collage of airborne spectroscopy imagery

Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources

Our project will characterize the primary critical minerals (minerals that contain critical elements in their base structure) that are not yet in the USGS Spectral Library. We propose to increase understanding of the spectral indicators of critical minerals using lab-based studies of hand specimens and drill core, hyperspectral field scanning, and hyperspectral images collected from aircraft.
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab
link

Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources

Our project will characterize the primary critical minerals (minerals that contain critical elements in their base structure) that are not yet in the USGS Spectral Library. We propose to increase understanding of the spectral indicators of critical minerals using lab-based studies of hand specimens and drill core, hyperspectral field scanning, and hyperspectral images collected from aircraft.
Learn More
link
scientist walking in desert with equipment

Hyperspectral Imaging of Mineral Resources from New and Old Origins: Minerals for the Nation’s Economy and Utilization of Legacy Mine Lands

This project will produce maps of surface mineralogy at 15 m spatial resolution covering the largest contiguous area of hyperspectral imagery that has ever been assembled for the U.S., over 380,000 sq. km. in California and Nevada. We are developing new methods to apply these data to map critical minerals, including minerals critical for battery fabrication, and to evaluate resources available...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab
link

Hyperspectral Imaging of Mineral Resources from New and Old Origins: Minerals for the Nation’s Economy and Utilization of Legacy Mine Lands

This project will produce maps of surface mineralogy at 15 m spatial resolution covering the largest contiguous area of hyperspectral imagery that has ever been assembled for the U.S., over 380,000 sq. km. in California and Nevada. We are developing new methods to apply these data to map critical minerals, including minerals critical for battery fabrication, and to evaluate resources available...
Learn More
link
Scanning Electron Image of Vermiculite Asbestos

Using In Situ IR Spectroscopy Measurements of Vermiculite Insulation to Determine Its Origin

The goal of this study was to determine if in situ near-infrared reflectance measurements, using portable spectrometers, could be used to reliably identify the source of vermiculite ore and therefore its potential to contain asbestos. The method developed can be used to determine vermiculite insulation's source and estimate its potential amphibole content, providing low-cost analysis with onsite...
By
Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Spectroscopy Lab
link

Using In Situ IR Spectroscopy Measurements of Vermiculite Insulation to Determine Its Origin

The goal of this study was to determine if in situ near-infrared reflectance measurements, using portable spectrometers, could be used to reliably identify the source of vermiculite ore and therefore its potential to contain asbestos. The method developed can be used to determine vermiculite insulation's source and estimate its potential amphibole content, providing low-cost analysis with onsite...
Learn More
View All