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
USGS Digital Spectral Libraries
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
Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometer Maps
Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometer Maps
Maps of hyperspectral imaging spectrometer data used to identify and characterize mineral deposits, vegetation, and other land surface features.
News
Secretary of the Interior Visits Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Secretary of the Interior Visits Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Spectroscopy Lab Hosts Hyperspectral Imaging-UAS Training
Spectroscopy Lab Hosts Hyperspectral Imaging-UAS Training
U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado School of Mines announce long-term partnership
U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado School of Mines announce long-term partnership
Publications
The EnMAP spaceborne imaging spectroscopy mission: Initial scientific results two years after launch
Imaging spectroscopy has been a recognized and established remote sensing technology since the 1980s, mainly using airborne and field-based platforms to identify and quantify key bio- and geo-chemical surface and atmospheric compounds, based on characteristic spectral reflectance features in the visible-near infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR). Spaceborne missions, a leap in...
Hyperspectral (VNIR-SWIR) analysis of roll front uranium host rocks and industrial minerals from Karnes and Live Oak Counties, Texas Coastal Plain
VNIR-SWIR (400–2500 nm) reflectance measurements were made on the surfaces of various cores, cuttings and sample splits of sedimentary rocks from the Tertiary Jackson Group, and Catahoula, Oakville and Goliad Formations. These rocks vary in composition and texture from mudstone and claystone to sandstone and are known host rocks for roll front uranium occurrences in Karnes and Live Oak...
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...
Science
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.
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...
Technical Assistance to Government of Greenland - Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
USGS provided technical assistance to the government of Greenland on hyperspectral imaging of critical mineral resources, including the collection of field measurements of reflectance and geologic samples with colleagues from the government of Greenland.