Raymond Kokaly is an expert on the application of remote sensing and spectroscopy for vegetation and mineral characterization. His peer-reviewed publications on the use of spectroscopy include: quantifying biochemical content in leaf spectra, discriminating conifer species, examining post-fire surface cover, and characterizing the impact of oil contamination from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
His research has used multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing data from AVHRR, Landsat, Hyperion, AVIRIS, HyMap, and MODIS. Raymond created the PRISM software, a framework for archiving and analyzing spectroscopic data collected in the laboratory and the field and from remote sensing platforms. PRISM was applied to map surficial minerals across most of Afghanistan, covering more than 480,000 sq. km. an area about the size of the state of California.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1996–present
Education and Certifications
University of Colorado at Boulder, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences, 1993
Science and Products
Increasing data accessibility by adding existing datasets and capabilities to a cutting-edge visualization app to enable cross-community use
Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
Development and Validation of Hyperspectral Imager for Field and Lab Scanning
USGS High Resolution Spectral Library
Science and Products
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Increasing data accessibility by adding existing datasets and capabilities to a cutting-edge visualization app to enable cross-community use
We will collate and publish existing datasets from collaborators and ingest them into a visualization app to help researchers with machine learning model-building and hypothesis-making. These data collation and app development methods could help other researchers increase their data accessibility.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.Development and Validation of Hyperspectral Imager for Field and Lab Scanning
The Mineral Resources Program has advanced methods of imaging spectroscopy (hyperspectral remote sensing) that are now used routinely by the earth science and remote sensing communities for mineral mapping, soil quality mapping, hazard mitigation, and other terrestrial and planetary applications. The USGS is highly qualified to advance this technology based on its world class expertise in mineral...USGS High Resolution Spectral Library
The USGS Spectral Library contains reflectance spectra, including samples of minerals, rocks, soils, physically constructed as well as mathematically computed mixtures, plants, vegetation communities, microorganisms, and man-made materials. The samples and spectra collected were assembled for the purpose of using spectral features for the remote detection of these and similar materials. The latest... - Data
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