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Aim-orn Tassanasorn
School of Geotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
Rasamee Suwanwerakamtorn
Remote Sensing Division, National Research Council, Bangkok, Thailand
1995
Abstract
This study concerns the attempt to use the air-borne radar images as a tool to
investigate geomorphology and geology of the Chaiyaphum area, Thailand, mainly on
the basis of visual interpretation. Limited field check was additionally carried out. As
a result, seven geomorphic units, six rock units and four units of unconsolidated
sediments are classified. They are described in terms of variations in surface
expression, relevant geomorphic processes, lithology and its resistance, image
characteristics, and relations of units. Structures such as curvilinear features,
lineaments and bedding are examined. Comparison of the radar images to other
available remote sensing data used for this activity is made as well.
1. Introduction
Radar imagery has been recorded as useful data for geologic and
environmental applications for quite a long time. For example, Parry (1974)
reported that the radar imagery is considered advantageous for terrain analysis
particularly in the reconnaissance stage. Simonett and Davis (1983) discussed
utilization and techniques of radar imagery for geologic features interpretation,
landscape analysis, integrated reconnaissance natural resource surveys, etc.
Singhroy et al.(1993) evaluated the encouragement of SAR (Synthetic Aperture
Radar) data for multi-disciplinary geologic applications in a number of different
geologic areas. The result has shown their utilities in fields of geologic
mapping, mineral and hydrocarbon explorations as well as geologic hazard
studies. Radar data are advantage as an exploration tool in tropical
environments as well (Dekker and Nazarenko, 1994). They help solve problems
on difficult traversability, cloud cover and the presence of a dense canopy.
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higher dielectric constant can reflect more radar energy than the one with lower
dielectric constant.
Surface geometry which comprises roughness and orientation relatively
plays more important role in controlling radar return than the dielectric constant
of material. For example, a smooth surface, with even though higher dielectric
constant, provides lower return than a rough surface. With identical surface
roughness, material with the higher dielectric constant/moisture content
provides higher radar return.
Look direction of radar images is significant to the linear geologic
feature as well. These features such as faults, lineaments, ridges and valleys are
strongly enhanced in the image if they are oriented at a normal or oblique angle
to the radar look direction. Local relief, slope, and aspect as well as orthogonal
orientation of facets are characteristics of these features related to the amount
and pattern of the radar return. These characteristics also cause producing
shadowing, layover and fore-shortening effects on images which in turn
influence the interpretation. In addition, depression angle of radar will affect
the micro relief detection. The detection will be better when the angle is
decreased.
The above-mentioned criteria generate diversified nature of basic
elements on images, which link to variations of attributes of the geomorphic
and geologic features. Examples of the attributes to be interpreted are
morphology, lithology, structure, etc. However, to intensify the interpretation
ability, an experience geoscientist who comprehends general geologic
background of the study area is preferred.
Highland
The mountainous part in the north of the study area is present in forms of
the cuesta which is composed of an escarpment and a dipslope of sandstone
beds. Trend of its ridge lies approximately in the northeast direction. The aspect
of the dipslope is facing to the southeast while of the escarpment is to the
northwest. The intensively erosional process plays an important role in this unit.
Undulating terrain
The unit is southerly adjacent to the former unit. Its surface expression
becomes undulating as a result of more subhorizontal bedding. Mostly, trends
of small valleys which are composed to be trellis drainage pattern are closely
related to the traces of bedding and fractures. Weathering and erosion are still
active in the unit.
Dissected upland
Most of separate hills are the erosional remnants of the dissection. They
express relatively low relief with very gentle slope as the same morphology as
mound. Their shapes are irregular with partly controlled by curvilinear features
and some lineaments. On the images, pattern of the unit shows less complicated
than of erosional lowland and low-lying plain.
Erosional lowland
The unit is mainly formed as a residual of weathering and erosion of
soft, fine-grained clastic rocks of the Mahasarakham Formation. This gently
undulating terrain is apparently encompassed those dissected remnants.
Recently, the unit is partly inundated in the wet season. Compared to the low-
lying plain, it shows darker tone and less complicated pattern on the images.
Low-lying plain
The unit is prevalently formed both sides of the main streams and
bounded by elevated areas. It is flat and mostly inundated in the wet season that
causes deposition of fine-grained sediments. The stream channels of the unit
show high sinuosity. Also, natural levees and oxbow lakes are common. The
unit mainly displays irregular texture of white and gray tones in the images as a
result of harvest and plough.
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Solution depressions
The irregular-shape solution depressions are always confined scatteredly
in the low-lying plain which is postulated to overlie mainly on the
Mahasarakham sediments. The depressions are normally inundated and show
dark tone on the images. Their development is the result of the solution process
and the mobility of the underneath rock salt.
Bedrocks
The bedrock geology of this area and the surroundings was previously
mapped by Nakornsri (1977), Chonglakmani and Sattayarak (1979),
Chonglakmani et al. (1979), and Yuyen and Sirinawin (1979). Later, the
stratigraphic sequence of the northeast Thailand was perfectly reviewed by
Sattayarak (1985). The main part of the sequence which is prominent in terms
of spatial presence in the northeast includes the Phu Kradung, Phra Wihan, Sao
Khua, Phu Phan, Khok Kruat, and Mahasarakham Formations. Based on
different image characteristics, the interpretive bedrocks of this study are
fortunately corresponded to these formations.
The followings are description of bedrocks present in the study area.
Bedrock Unit 1
The oldest Unit 1 with low resistance can be compared to the Phu
Kradung Formation. It is located in the northern most of the study area.
Although the relief of the unit is not distinct, low topographic expression of
smooth-textured resistant beds show NE-axis anticline. Rocks are composed of
interbedding of claystone and massive sandstone. Subdendritic pattern is well
developed on this formation. This unit is overlain by the more resistant Unit 2.
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Bedrock Unit 2
The Unit 2 is matched to the Phra Wihan Formation, which consist of
massive, resistant, light-colored sandstone with some interbedded siltstone and
conglomerate. The unit forms as cuesta of which dip slope obliquely faces to
the look direction of the air-borne radar. The shadow appears as dark stripe on
the escarpment. Comparatively smooth texture indicates less vegetation.
Poorly-developed subparallel drainage pattern are apparent.
Bedrock Unit 3
The less resistant siltstone confining between two resistant formations
essentially characterizes this formation which is equivalent to the Sao Khua
Formation. Weak rectangular drainage appeared as light and smooth-textured,
medium-gray stripes is obviously controlled by bedding and joint. Similar to the
Unit 1, the signature of the unit area shows more spatial variations due to
branches and twigs of trees.
Bedrock Unit 4
The unit is equivalent to the Phu Phan Formation. On the image, massive
beds of pebbly sandstone and conglomerate, formed as explicitly traceable
exposures, are typical for this formation. The alignment of relatively high
topographic expression indicates resistant beds. In contrast, siltstone and shale
occur as low land. Trellis drainage pattern is developed in the unit.
Bedrock Unit 5
This unit, the Khok Kruat Formation, overlies the Phu Phan Formation.
Predominantly, sandstone, siltstone, and claystone form red bed of the
formation. Trellis drainage pattern is distinctively developed and shows as light
stripes due to surface roughness of plough for cultivation.
Bedrock Unit 6
This soft bed of Mahasarakham Formation is mainly composed of
siltstone and claystone. Poorly-developed drainage pattern and irregular texture
are obviously evident of the unit. This would be because of poor cementation of
rocks and various types of cultivation. The Mahasarakham Formation in the
southernmost part of the study area appears as low hills which are the remnants
of weathering processes. Also, the rock structures of the unit are hardly visible
on the image compared to the others.
It is significant to consider the report of Sattayarak and Polachan(1990).
They concluded from the drill hole for petroleum exploration, geophysical
loggings, and seismic profiling data that there is sandstone and siltstone bed of
the Phu Tok Formation generally overlying the Mahasarakham Formation,
particularly the central area of the basin. It is, therefore, possible that sediments
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of the Phu Tok Formation might exist in the southern part of the study area
instead of being sediments of the Mahasarakham Formation.
Unconsolidated sediments
Gravel deposits
These moderately sorted gravels are composed of quartz, chert and
small content of petrified wood. The sequence of this unit is represented by silt
with secondary pisolitic layers overlying the gravel. In this unit, relatively
smooth texture and poorly developed drainage pattern are apparent on the
images. The interesting hypothesis of the origin of gravels in the northeastern
region has been proposed by Parry (1992).
Residual deposits
The deposits are mainly derived from the Mahasarakham siltstone and
shale. Therefore, their lithology is essentially silt with plenty of lime nodules
and iron oxide pellets. The salt crust is often observed as white patches on the
unit surface. On the images, the unit area fairly shows dendritic drainage
pattern. Its texture and pattern are obviously different from of red silt and
floodplain deposits.
Floodplain deposits
The deposits are generally found on both sides of main streams and
mainly composed of silt and clay. Natural levee, particularly both sides of the
Chi River, shows coarse texture because of the presence of big trees. This
deposit is considered as the youngest in the stratigraphic sequence in the study
area.
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Other remote sensing data available for comparison to radar images are
airphotos and composite color (band 2, 3, and 4) Landsat 5 TM images.
Unfortunately, this comparison might not be fair due to the fact that some
characteristics e.g. scale, date acquired, and geometric correction of data used
are not exactly alike. Therefore, the comparison made may present the general
idea. In addition, the geomorphic and geologic features including structures of
this area are somewhat understandable that there is no chance for typically
enhancing characteristics of these data to play important role. In other word,
they are not necessarily required. It is, therefore, acceptable that the comparison
result of other areas with different geology might not be the same. Thus, the
comparison of possible advantages and disadvantages of radar images to other
remote sensing data, in terms of applications to geomorphic and geologic
interpretations of the study area, was made and shown in Table 1.
Table 1 The comparison of using radar images and other remote sensing data
for geomorphic and geologic interpretation.
Characteristics:
Stereoscope no yes no
requirement
Drainage pattern comparatively poor but provide more detail provide detail but not
recognition good enough for aiding crispy
in geologic unit
discrimination
Geomorphic unit better in regional good for detail fair to poor for both
discrimination mapping mapping; fair for detail and regional
regional mapping mappings
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Table 1 (cont.)
Characteristics:
Geologic better; e.g. separating fair to good; can be fair to poor for
(lithologic)unit residual deposits from confused sometimes, unconsolidated
discrimination floodplain deposits; particularly sediments
easy to distinguish/ unconsolidated discrimination;
group bedrocks with sediments fair for bedrocks
different resistance discrimination discrimination
Curvilinear recognition good for medium to good for small scale fair for small scale,
large scale poor for medium and
large scale
Bedding recognition good for regional better for detail good for detail
Acknowledgments : We would like to express our thanks to NRCT for providing radar
images and let us participate in the Thai GlobeSAR project. Sincere thanks are also due to
Khun Prayong Angsuwathana, Deputy Director General of the Department of Mineral
Resources, Khun Phisit Dheeradilok, Director of the Geological Survey Division, and Khun
Sang-athit Chuaviroj, Chief of the Photogeology and Remote Sensing Section for their
encouragement during the study. Special thanks are forwarded to Khun Angkana Boonrod
for her help in discussion and figures preparation.
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