Brad Douglas is working on analysis of satellite imagery from
various infrared wavelengths to make more detailed geological maps
of the area than currently available from the State of Nevada.
He needs at least another week to finish it.
But he made this preview to show what he's working on.
The image shown here is a preliminary run using only LandSat data. The final version will get more resolution and data from more infrared wavelengths from ASTER satellite data.
The lines visible on the higher-resolution download are boundaries between areas of geologically-similar features.
This is just a preview so there isn't a key yet to show the meanings assigned to each of the colors. One will be provided with the final version. As an example of the kinds of information this can show, Brad found areas within the elliptical boundary with igneous rocks that are higher in iron, nickel and copper than the surrounding region. This is interesting because it could point to an asteroid as the impactor. Asteroids are commonly made of iron and nickel. And their remains would be expected within the melt rocks of an impact crater.
All that remains to be confirmed. But the geological map will help in the process of sorting things out.
Brad used GRASS GIS to generate this map. GRASS GIS is an Open Source GIS/mapping software package which had its origin at the US Army Corps of Engineers. He's one of the developers of GRASS GIS.
Download larger image (2048x1618) 1.2 MB
The geological map preview image is Copyright 2007 by Brad Douglas.