Mapping geology and structure using multispectral and hyperspectral data and evaluating topographic correction methods: Case study, Salmon River Mountains of east-central Idaho

High topography in mountain terrains causes spectral distortion in remote sensing data. This effect reduces the ability to map lithology based on unique spectra. Numerous workers have created techniques that minimize the topographic effect in areas with steep slopes. Some of these techniques include Statistic-empirical method, Cosine correction, Minnaert correction, and C-correction. Generally these techniques reduce the ''topographic effect'' in satellite imagery for mapping, although there are extreme radiance values which cannot be explained. In order to obtain better accuracy of the data, a new topographic correction method is being developed. This new topographic correction method is based on the slope of terrain, the spectra of satellite imagery and field spectra of the rocks. Newly developed techniques are applied to map geology and structures in Salmon River Mountains, East-central Idaho. The spectral reflectance of rock samples is being used to characterize the type of faults present in the area, specifically the Iron Lake Fault which crosses part of the study area.