Preliminary geologic interpretation of SAR data, Yellowknife-Hearne Lake area, NWT

Abstract

Airborne, narrow swath, C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, obtained from the Yellowknife-Hearne Lake area, essentially reflects the geomorphology or landforms of the region. These in turn can be readily related to specific lithologies, rock masses, structure and cultural features. Terrain analysis using textural and tonal (brightness) characteristics of the radar images along with drainage and lakeshore characteristics permitted definition of several lithologic classes. Several major structural lineaments in the area, known from aeromagnetic and geological maps (diabase dykes, faulted contacts, etc) are readily apparent in the SAR imagery, as are numerous extensions and subsidiary lineaments. Circumstantial evidence suggests that post-Precambrian and neotectonic activity may be related to lineaments. -from Authors