Detecting and Distinguishing Ophiolite Rocks via Multispectral Remote Sensing in Bi’r Umq, Southeast Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The objective of this work is to show the contribution of multispectral remote sensing data to detect and distinguish the ophiolite rocks of Bi’r Umq and their geologic setting, southeast of Al Madinah Al Munawarrah in Saudi Arabia. This work includes detailed fieldwork lab studies, as well as processing operations, were performed on The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER 2006, 2007) and Satellite Pour L’Observation de la Terre SPOT 5 (2005) images of the study region. Among the processing techniques applied are band ratio, histogram stretching, the combination of spectral bands, image fusion. The techniques used permitted a clearly show that the ultramafic rocks are distinct from other rock units and contain important economic minerals. This research also illustrates the tectonic parameters and that the remains of the oceanic crust are exposed and juxtaposed to the rocks of the continental crust of the Arabian Shield. The results of the spatial data processing revealed a good positive concordance with the results of the field investigations.