Raymond Kokaly
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
Comparison of methods for modeling fractional cover using simulated satellite hyperspectral imager spectra
Imaging spectroscopy for the detection, assessment and monitoring of natural and anthropogenic hazards
Characteristics of tropical tree species in hyperspectral and multispectral data
Application of imaging spectroscopy for mineral exploration in Alaska: A study over porphyry Cu deposits in the eastern Alaska Range
Oiling accelerates loss of salt marshes, southeastern Louisiana
USGS Spectral Library Version 7
Multiscale hyperspectral imaging of the Orange Hill Porphyry Copper Deposit, Alaska, USA, with laboratory-, field-, and aircraft-based imaging spectrometers
Iron oxide minerals in dust-source sediments from the Bodélé Depression, Chad: Implications for radiative properties and Fe bioavailability of dust plumes from the Sahara
Mapping changing distributions of dominant species in oil-contaminated salt marshes of Louisiana using imaging spectroscopy
Hyperspectral surveying for mineral resources in Alaska
Plant phenolics and absorption features in vegetation reflectance spectra near 1.66 μm
Mapping surficial minerals at high latitudes: The USGS 2014 imaging spectrometer data collection in Alaska
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Filter Total Items: 127
Comparison of methods for modeling fractional cover using simulated satellite hyperspectral imager spectra
Remotely sensed data can be used to model the fractional cover of green vegetation (GV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV), and soil in natural and agricultural ecosystems. NPV and soil cover are difficult to estimate accurately since absorption by lignin, cellulose, and other organic molecules cannot be resolved by broadband multispectral data. A new generation of satellite hyperspectral imagerAuthorsPhilip E. Dennison, Yi Qi, Susan K. Meerdink, Raymond F. Kokaly, David R. Thompson, Craig S.T. Daughtry, Miguel Quemada, Dar A. Roberts, Paul Gader, Erin Wetherley, Izaya Numata, Keely L. RothImaging spectroscopy for the detection, assessment and monitoring of natural and anthropogenic hazards
Natural and anthropogenic hazards have the potential to impact all aspects of society including its economy and the environment. Diagnostic data to inform decision-making are critical for hazard management whether for emergency response, routine monitoring or assessments of potential risks. Imaging spectroscopy (IS) has unique contributions to make via the ability to provide some key quantitativeAuthorsCindy Ong, Véronique Carrere, Sabine Chabrillat, Roger N. Clark, Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, Rodolphe Marion, Carlos Roberto de Souza Filho, Gregg A. Swayze, David R. ThompsonCharacteristics of tropical tree species in hyperspectral and multispectral data
Remote sensing has been hailed as a promising technology to provide spatially explicit information on tree species distribution. Such information is of high value for ecologists and forest managers, particularly in tropical environments in which it is acquired by costly field inventories performed at the plot level (∼1 ha). Over the last decade, hyperspectral sensors, usually on board airborne plaAuthorsMatheus Pinheiro Ferreira, Cibele Hummel do Amaral, Gaia Vaglio Laurin, Raymond F. Kokaly, Carlos Roberto de Souza Filho, Yosio Edemir ShimabukuroApplication of imaging spectroscopy for mineral exploration in Alaska: A study over porphyry Cu deposits in the eastern Alaska Range
The U.S. Geological Survey tested the utility of imaging spectroscopy (also referred to as hyperspectral remote sensing) as an aid to regional mineral exploration efforts in remote parts of Alaska. Airborne imaging spectrometer data were collected in 2014 over unmined porphyry Cu deposits in the eastern Alaska Range using the HyMap™ sensor. Maps of the distributions of predominant minerals, made bAuthorsGarth E. Graham, Raymond F. Kokaly, Karen D. Kelley, Todd M. Hoefen, Michaela Johnson, Bernard E. HubbardOiling accelerates loss of salt marshes, southeastern Louisiana
The 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill damaged thousands of km2 of intertidal marsh along shorelines that had been experiencing elevated rates of erosion for decades. Yet, the contribution of marsh oiling to landscape-scale degradation and subsequent land loss has been difficult to quantify. Here, we applied advanced remote sensing techniques to map changes in marsh land cover and open wateAuthorsMichael Beland, Trent W. Biggs, Dar A. Roberts, Seth H. Peterson, Raymond F. Kokaly, Sarai PiazzaUSGS Spectral Library Version 7
We have assembled a library of spectra measured with laboratory, field, and airborne spectrometers. The instruments used cover wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the far infrared (0.2 to 200 microns [μm]). Laboratory samples of specific minerals, plants, chemical compounds, and manmade materials were measured. In many cases, samples were purified, so that unique spectral features of a material caAuthorsRaymond F. Kokaly, Roger N. Clark, Gregg A. Swayze, K. Eric Livo, Todd M. Hoefen, Neil C. Pearson, Richard A. Wise, William Benzel, Heather A. Lowers, Rhonda L. Driscoll, Anna J. KleinMultiscale hyperspectral imaging of the Orange Hill Porphyry Copper Deposit, Alaska, USA, with laboratory-, field-, and aircraft-based imaging spectrometers
In the past decade, use of hyperspectral imaging (imaging spectroscopy) for mineral exploration and mining operations has been increasing at different spatial scales. In this paper, we focus on recent trends in applying imaging spectrometer data to: 1) airborne imaging of high latitude deposits, 2) field-based imaging of outcrops, and 3) laboratory-level imaging of geologic samples. Comparing mineAuthorsRaymond F. Kokaly, Garth E. Graham, Todd M. Hoefen, Karen D. Kelley, Michaela R. Johnson, Bernard E. Hubbard, M. Buchhorn, A. PrakashIron oxide minerals in dust-source sediments from the Bodélé Depression, Chad: Implications for radiative properties and Fe bioavailability of dust plumes from the Sahara
Atmospheric mineral dust can influence climate and biogeochemical cycles. An important component of mineral dust is ferric oxide minerals (hematite and goethite) which have been shown to influence strongly the optical properties of dust plumes and thus affect the radiative forcing of global dust. Here we report on the iron mineralogy of dust-source samples from the Bodélé Depression (Chad, north-cAuthorsBruce M. Moskowitz, Richard L. Reynolds, Harland L. Goldstein, Thelma Beroquo, Raymond F. Kokaly, Charlie S BristowMapping changing distributions of dominant species in oil-contaminated salt marshes of Louisiana using imaging spectroscopy
The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill was the largest coastal spill in U.S. history. Monitoring subsequent change in marsh plant community distributions is critical to assess ecosystem impacts and to establish future coastal management priorities. Strategically deployed airborne imaging spectrometers, like the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), offer the spectral aAuthorsMichael Beland, Dar A. Roberts, Seth H. Peterson, Trent W. Biggs, Raymond F. Kokaly, Sarai Piazza, Keely L. Roth, Shruti Khanna, Susan L. UstinHyperspectral surveying for mineral resources in Alaska
Alaska is a major producer of base and precious metals and has a high potential for additional undiscovered mineral resources. However, discovery is hindered by Alaska’s vast size, remoteness, and rugged terrain. New methods are needed to overcome these obstacles in order to fully evaluate Alaska’s geology and mineral resource potential. Hyperspectral surveying is one method that can be used to raAuthorsRaymond F. Kokaly, Garth E. Graham, Todd M. Hoefen, Karen D. Kelley, Michaela R. Johnson, Bernard E. HubbardPlant phenolics and absorption features in vegetation reflectance spectra near 1.66 μm
Past laboratory and field studies have quantified phenolic substances in vegetative matter from reflectance measurements for understanding plant response to herbivores and insect predation. Past remote sensing studies on phenolics have evaluated crop quality and vegetation patterns caused by bedrock geology and associated variations in soil geochemistry. We examined spectra of pure phenolic compouAuthorsRaymond F. Kokaly, Andrew K SkidmoreMapping surficial minerals at high latitudes: The USGS 2014 imaging spectrometer data collection in Alaska
Passive optical remote sensing of high latitude regions faces many challenges including a short acquisition season and poor illumination due to low solar elevation. Additional complications are encountered in the identification of surface minerals for mineral resource characterization because minerals of interest commonly are exposed on steep terrain, further challenging reflectance retrieval andAuthorsRaymond F. Kokaly, Todd M. Hoefen, Garth Graham, Karen Kelly, Michaela Johnson, Bernard Hubbard, Richard Goldfarb - Web Tools
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