Geological analysis of hyperspectral data over southwest Baffin Island: methods for producing spectral maps that relate to variations in surface lithologies

A hyperspectral dataset acquired over a small portion of southwest Baffin Island in 2004 is analyzed for lithological information. Four different approaches are employed to extract spectral information from the imagery, creating “spectral” maps that potentially reflect different rock types. A “hybrid” approach combining elements of simple image enhancement, automatic classification, and spectral knowledge of various minerals was found to be, arguably, the best approach for producing a predictive map of different lithologies and subunits of the main rock types. Hyperspectral remote sensing, given a suitable geologic-biophysical environment, is a useful tool for the geologic mapping of Canada’s North.