Geosciences Journal

Vol. 7, No. 4, p. 347 − 358, December 2003

Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER

Hiroshi Watanabe* Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center, Forefront Tower, 3-12-1 Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0054, Japan
Kazuaki Matsuo MC Exploration Co., Ltd, Fukukawa Building 5F, 2-6-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

ABSTRACT: The ASTER TIR (thermal infrared radiometer) regarding various fields related to the study of the earth.
sensor has 5 spectral bands over 8 to 12 μm region. Rock type clas- The ASTER TIR (thermal infrared radiometer) is an advanced
sification using the ASTER TIR nighttime data was performed in
spaceborne radiometer with five spectral bands in the ther-
the Erta Ale range of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Erta Ale range is
the most important axial volcanic chain of the Afar region. The mal infrared region (8.0−12.0 μm). Its ability to measure
petrographic diversity of lava erupted in this area is very impor- thermal emission properties will be useful for locating min-
tant, ranging from magnesian transitional basalt to rhyolites. We eral resources, characterizing the land and sea surface, and
tried to classify the rock types based on the spectral behavior of each observing the atmosphere. Accordingly, we applied the
volcanic rock types in thermal infrared range and estimated SiO2 ASTER TIR to the rock type classification in the Erta Ale
content with emission data by the ASTER TIR. The associated VNIR range, Ethiopia and discussed the effectiveness of the TIR
and digital terrain model (DTM) derived from the stereo pair in the
same data set provided a consistent result with that from TIR. multi-spectral range. The Erta Ale range is the main vol-
canic chain of the Afar depression. This area is the one of
Keywords: ASTER, TIR, Erta Ale range, rock type classification, SiO2 the key regions for the geology of East Africa, located as it
content, DTM is, at the intersection of three of the main structural units
affecting the earth crust in that zone, i.e. Red Sea, The Gulf
1. INTRODUCTION of Aden and East African Rift. In spite of its geological
importance, Afar has been neglected for a long time by
The Erta Ale range is the main volcanic unit in the Afar geologists, mainly because of its difficulty to access. The
(or Danakil) depression. It is located along the axis of the complete geological ground truth started from 1970’s (Bar-
northern part of the Afar Triangle of Ethiopia in a zone beri and Varet, 1970). They brought us a lot of important
clearly related to the Red Sea Rift. The extension direction geological evidences.
of the main Ethiopian rift is NW-SE and the direction has Thermal infrared region (8.0−14.0 μm) is affected by the
been rotated clockwise for about 20 degree in the time thermal emission from land surface. Consequently, the
interval 2.83 to 0.023 Ma by interpreting high resolution emission spectrum is one of the important factor for the
images obtained from Landsat TM and SPOT satellites thermal infrared region in the remote sensing of the earth
(Korme et al., 1997). observation. The emission spectrum in the thermal infrared
The petrographic diversity of lava erupted in this area is region is applied to various areas as the useful data in the
very important, ranging from magnesian transitional basalt process of a scientific approach, i.e. mineralogy, volcanol-
to rhyolites. There are six principal volcanic centers in the ogy and meteorology. Basically, the emission spectrum rep-
range from north to south, Gada Ale, Alu Dala Filla, Borale resents the signature caused by the vibration process between
Ale, Erta Ale, Hyli Gub and Ale Gub. These volcanoes are the molecules. The spectral patterns of the rock forming
all at a stage of fumarolic activity, some of them quite minerals (silicate minerals) show the most characteristic
strong indeed, with the exception of Erta Ale in the craters behavior in the thermal infrared region. Consequently, the
of which molten lava lakes are usually present. Cumula- understanding of the individual spectral behavior is impor-
tively erupted mass (relative to December 1968) which tant to the geological and mineralogical analysis. Clay and
combined relative radiation, sensible heat fluxes and lava carbonate minerals show a characteristic spectral behavior
lake levels (relative to the rim of the central pit) obtained in short wave infrared region (1.3−3.0 μm) and also in the
from Landsat MSS, Landsat TM, JERS-1 OPS and ADEOS thermal infrared region. Therefore, its usefulness to deter-
AVNIR satellites imagery (Oppenheimer and Francis, 1997). mine the mineral type identification in mining (clay types,
A new optical sensor ASTER is mounted on the TERRA alternated zone in metal deposits, etc.) is well-known and
satellite that was launched on December 18, 1999. The ASTER reported in a number of past studies. Most important min-
is an advanced optical sensor comprised of 14 spectral erals to be determined by the thermal infrared spectral
channels ranging from the visible to thermal infrared region are the silicate minerals, which are distinguished into
region. It will provide scientific and also practical data six types of crystal structures based on the SiO4 tetrahedral
chain. The spectral patterns are changed with the SiO4 tet-
*Corresponding author: [email protected] rahedral structure and chemical compositions. The maxi-
348 Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuaki Matsuo

mum value of the emissivity named for “Christiansen Peak” south of the Salt Plain, and is composed of seven volcanic
in 7.0 to 9.0 μm of thermal infrared range shifts from 7.0 centers, roughly NNW-SSE aligned: Gada Ale, Alu Dala
μm region (silicic rocks) to 9.0μm region (mafic rocks) in Filla, Borale Ale, Erta Ale (famous for its lava lake), Ale
concordance with the decrease of SiO2 content. Moreover, Bagu and Hayli Gub, from north to south. A great diversity
the absorption spectral patterns due to Si-O bond vibration of lava compositions ranging from magnesian basalts to
appear in 8.5 to 12.0 μm in wavelength region. Minimum rhyolites has been reported in the previous studies (Barberi
value of emissivity is recognized around 9.0 μm for tecto- and Varet, 1970, Barrat et al., 1998, Pik et al., 1998).
silicates. Its position shifted to longer wavelength region up
to around 11.5 μm for solosilicates and nesosilicates affected by 3. CHARACTERISTICS OF ASTER TIR
less bond force of the SiO 4 tetrahedral structure.
3.1. TIR Functional Parameters
2. GEOLOGICAL SETTING
ASTER is an advanced optical sensor comprised of 14
The northern Afar is a well-defined depression, bounded spectral channels ranging from the visible to thermal infra-
by the Ethiopian Escarpment on the west and the Danakil red region. It provides scientific and also practical data
Horst on the east. The depression is mainly filled with regarding various fields related to the study of the earth.
recent sediments, evaporite beds and covered by extensive ASTER TIR (thermal infrared radiometer) is the first advanced
lava flows. The sedimentation started in the early Miocene spaceborne multi-spectral radiometer with five spectral
with the detrital series, and continued in the Quarternary by bands in the thermal infrared (8−12 μm). Its ability to mea-
piedmont continental sediments and marine carbonates. sure thermal emission properties will be useful for locating
This region became arid after its isolation from the Red Sea mineral resources, characterizing the land and sea surface,
and a very thick evaporite formation was formed in its cen- and observing the atmosphere. Functional parameters of
tral part as “Salt Plain” (Fig. 1). ASTER TIR are summarized in Table 1.
The Afar depression is one of the key region for the geol-
ogy of East Africa, located at the intersection of three of the 3.2. Available ASTER TIR Data for the Erta Ale Range
main structural units, which are the Red Sea, the Gulf of of the Ethiopian Rift
Aden and the East African Rift. The region is characterized
by intense tectonic and volcanic activities. The main tec- The Erta Ale Range is located at near north border of
tonic features are vertical step faulting and open fissures. Ethiopia. First image of the Erta Ale Range by ASTER TIR
Fault throws reach 200 m. A series of NNW-SSE and N-S was acquired in the nighttime of February 26, 2000, which
faults affect the Ethiopian plateau in the proximity of the was just in the engineering initial check-out period for the
step scarp bordering the depression. It is in fact character- ASTER instruments. Data processing level was level 0 (L0B1;
ized by the presence of a unique trend of the Eritrean or the data of no geometric and radiometric corrections) at that
Red Sea (NNW-SSE direction). The volcanic activity is time, but we tried to make false color composite image and
important since the Miocene. It is today mostly confined to decorrelation stretched image (Fig. 2). We were satisfied
the axial zone, forming three spectacular volcanic chains; with data quality and normal operation of the ASTER TIR.
the Erta Ale, the Alayta and Tat Ali. The complete operation of ASTER GDS (Ground Data
The Erta Ale chain (about 80km long) is located in the System) and the data distribution for researchers started

Fig. 1. A geological map <left> of the Erta Ale range In the Afar depression, Ethiopia (modified after Barberi and Varet, 1970) and total
alkaline and silica diagram <right> for the volcanic rock series of the Erta Ale range. JB-3 to JP-1 are standard volcanic rock samples
in Japan. Major element data were referred to the study by J. A. Barrat, 1998 and Geological Survey of Japan, 1994.
 Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER 349

Table 1. ASTER TIR function parameters is able to judge that the ASTER TIR keeps stable on the
Spectral Bands Band 10 : 8.125−8.475 μm data quality.
Band 11 : 8.475−8.825 μm
Band 12 : 8.925−9.275 μm 4. THERMAL EMISSION SPECTRUM OF VOLCANIC
Band 13 : 10.25−10.95 μm ROCKS
Band 14 : 10.95−11.65 μm
Radiometric Resolution NEδT : 0.3 K In thermal infrared region, the thermal emission from the
Geometric Resolution 90 m land surface is superior to the reflectance. Most important
Pointing Coverage ±8.55 deg minerals to be determined by the thermal infrared spectral
IFOV 127.8 μ rad region are the silicate minerals. The petrographic diversity
Detector 50 effements (HgCdTe) of volcanic rocks in the Erta Ale Range have bimodal com-
Quantization Bit Number 12 bits position ranging from basalt to rhyolite in the median zone
Scan Period 4.398 msec between tholeiite and alkalic rock group (Fig. 1). The typ-
> 0.25 (cross-track) ical emissivity curves for each volcanic rocks and massive
MTF quartz samples which were collected in Japan (these are
> 0.20 (along-track)
Scanning Method Mechanical Scanning (Oscillating Mirror) selected as equivalent to rock types in Erta Ale Range) are
Cooler Linear Drive Stirling Cycle Crycooler shown in Fig. 4.
The emissivity curve of massive quartz indicates clear
absorption at band 10, band 12 and indicates clear reflection
from December 1, 2000. Five data sets of the ASTER TIR spike at band 11 on the contrary. In band 13 and band 14
covering the Erta Ale range have been processed to level spectral range, it is changing to higher emissivity value. If
1B by June 2001 (Table 2). Decorrelation stretched com- SiO2 content in the rock increases, the emissivity curve is
posite images for the nighttime data are shown in Fig. 3. It expected to indicate a pattern similar to massive quartz. If

Fig. 2. ASTER TIR (thermal infrared radiometer) composite image of the Erta Ale range in the Afar Depression. ASTER TIR sensor
is the first high spatial multi-spectral thermal infrared radiometer mounted on the satellite. A co-registered SIR-C/X-SAR Image Is cov-
ering the same area Is shown upper light (JPL/NASA).
350 Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuaki Matsuo

Table 2. Available data set of ASTER TIR for the Erta Ale Range of the Ethiopian Rift.
Scene ID Acquisition Date Scene Center
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0012041954300012140665) 2000 / Dec. / 04 N12.25 E40.53
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0012041954390012140666) 2000 / Dec. / 04 N12.57 E40.46
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0012291948460101121048) 2000 / Dec. / 29 N13.16 E40.47
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0012291948550101121049) 2000 / Dec. / 29 N13.48 E40.40
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0101301948110102060573) 2001 / Jan. / 30 N13.16 E40.47
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0101301948200102060574) 2001 / Jan. / 30 N13.48 E40.40
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0102151948000102230126) 2001 / Feb. / 15 N13.16 E40.45
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0102151948090102230127) 2001 / Feb. / 15 N13.48 E40.37
ASTL1B T (ASTL1A0006280811400012270775) 2000 / Jun. / 28 N13.55 E40.19

Fig. 3. Decorrelation composite images of the Erta Ale range in the nighttime. These 4 scenes were acquired anew on different date
respectively after February 26, 2000.

Fig. 4. The emissivity for various volcanic rocks ranging from picrite to rhyolite and massive quartz <left> (after Metal Mining Agency
of Japan) and the reflectance for each silicate group <right> (after JPL/NASA).
 Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER 351

Fig. 5. The reflectance for typical silicate minerals, quartz <left>, feldspars <middle> and typical mafic minerals <right> (after JPL/NASA).

we classify the rock type whether mafic or silicic on the with coarse quartz phenocryst tend to appear more reddish
image, it should be better to select the band combinations hue than the rocks rich in fine quartz phenocryst. On the
10, 12 and 13 or 14 in blue, green and red respectively (B: other hand, the rock type with fine quartz phenocryst or
G:R=10:12:13 or 14) to make a false color composite image. If microphenocryst will appear more whitish hue. Fig. 5 (cen-
the SiO2 content increases in the rock, the area will appear ter) shows the reflectance curves for the main type of feld-
reddish hue. spar group. The feldspar group is divided into three types
On the other hand, right hand side of Fig. 4 represents the based on potassium, calcium and sodium components. They
reflectance curves for each silicate mineral group in thermal are named for orthoclase (K-feldspar), anorthite (Ca-feld-
infrared range. The peak of reflectance curve shifts gradu- spar) and albite (Na-feldspar) in geology. Orthoclase is typ-
ally to longer wavelength region from tectosilicate to neso- ically included in the plutonic rocks such as granite and
silicate mineral groups evidently. As a result of this, the pegmatite etc. Its spectral curve shows highest reflectance
maximum absorption peaks of the emissivity curves for in feldspar group. A noticeable difference is recognized on
each type of silicate group will be expected to shift as same the reflectance strength in each type of feldspar, but the
as behavior of the reflectance curves. The ASTER TIR absorptive behavior is good for at any of band 12 range. In
range covers the individual spectral pattern for each silicate the false color image of B:G:R=10:12:14 in a region occu-
type in its range. Accordingly, the ASTER TIR is expected pied by igneous rocks, if abundant feldspar is included in
to be a useful tool to classify the rock types based on sil- the rock, its color shade on the image should be appeared
icate minerals. in bluish to magenta hue. In addition to this expectation, a
Tectosilicate minerals are represented by quartz and feld- rock type abundant in Ca-rich feldspar such as anorthite
spar group. Generally, almost of silicic rocks include the appears more bright hue on the image than K-rich feldspar.
quartz phenocrysts. Fig. 5 (left) is showing the reflectance If Na-rich feldspar is recognized in the rock, the color shade
curves for coarse and fine quartz. The difference between should be appeared in magenta hue as the intermediate
each reflectance curve can be recognized at the band 13 and character between Ca-rich and K-rich feldspars. The com-
14 ranges, which is a point to show a broad peak on spectral bination of Na2O and K2O components is the index of igne-
curve for fine quartz. In the false color image of B:G:R= ous rock classification whether it is alkalic or not (Fig. 1).
10:12:14 in a region occupied by silicic rocks, the rock type For example, the rock type showing high value of Na2O+K2O

Table 3. Band combinations and their expected advantages

content is classified to the alkalic rock such as phonolite. If to the pit crater of the Erta Ale. This represents higher tem-
Na2O+K2O content is rich in the rock, the color shade on perature condition than around surface because of the mol-
the image for it is expected to appear dark bluish hue. Con- ten lava lake of the pit crater.
sequently, the ASTER TIR range will represent a geological The volcanic rock type in the Erta Ale range is charac-
information that affects the alkaline components in the rock. terized by extensive compositional range from basalt to rhy-
Phyllosilicate group are represented by chlorite, mica and olite. Basaltic rocks appear grayish white hue at the Alu
serpentine. Biotite and muscovite in mica minerals are rec- Dala Filla area and the slope of the Erta Ale (Fig. 2). The
ognized in the silicic igneous rocks such as dacite and granite. large area of the slope at the Alu Dala Filla area is covered
The spectral curves tend to shift to longer wavelength range by flood or shield basalt. On the other hand, grayish white
around 0.5 μm than the tectosilicate themselves. hue at the slope of the Erta Ale corresponds to the mean-
Inosilicate group are represented by pyroxene and amphibole dering basaltic lava flow from many fissures that occur in
which are included typically in the intermediate igneous parallel to the main axis of the Erta Ale range. Magenta hue
rocks. Fig. 5 (light) is shown for the reflectance curves of augite at the center of the Erta Ale corresponds to the recent vis-
and hypersthene as examples of pyroxene group. The curve cous lava flow. There is no detail petrologic description on
feature is representing broad shape ranging from band 11 to 14. viscous lava flow in the number of past studies, but this
These are indicating a similar pattern of the emissivity curves considers that the rock type can classify to the intermediate
for basaltic trachy andesite and trachyte shown in Fig. 4. composition such as basaltic trachy andesite or trachy
The intermediate igneous rock such as trachyte is usually andesite from the spectrum analysis (Fig. 4). Silicic lava
abundant in pyroxene as a type of the mafic mineral. If it with rich SiO2 content appears light pink at western border
applies B:G:R=10:12:14 for the false color image, the color of the Alu Horst and the center of the Borale Ale.
shade of the intermediate igneous rock should be appeared For more detail interpretation, we prepared the decorre-
in magenta to purple hue. lation stretch composite image and thermal logarithmic
Nesosilicate group are represented by olivine and garnet, residual composite image (Fig. 6) and detail geological
which tend to be abundant in mafic and ulramafic igneous maps modified after Barberi and Varet (1970) are shown in
rocks. Usually, olivine is recognized as the phenocryst in Fig. 7. We tried to classify the rock type with the ASTER
basaltic rock and tends to become larger size in proportion TIR for the following subdivided three areas.
to increase of alkaline component such as picrite (Na2O+
K2O > 18%). The reflectance curves of olivine indicate the 5.1. Alu-Dala Filla
high reflectance and broad shape ranging from band 12 to
14 (Fig. 4). The emissivity curve of picrite has the absorp- This area is located at south of Lake Bakili and consists
tion at same range. This behavior should be affected by oli- of lava fields surrounding the Alu volcanic horst and the
vine phenocryst in the rock. If it compares picrite with Dala Filla small steep cone. This chain is mostly formed by
basalt at the point of emissivity behaviors, fine difference fissural basaltic lava emitted on a large surface of very low
can be the maximum absorption range of picrite shifts to slopes. At the SE of Lake Bakili, the submarine picritic
longer wavelength region than basalt. This considers affect- basalt lava flows and the hyaloclastite rings are described as
ing the nesosilicate mineral and also implying the behavior oldest outcrops in this area and the distribution of the old
to representing the difference of total volume of alkaline basalt is also found on the western side and in the middle
content in the rock. At this point of view, if it applies B:G:R at the Alu horst. Especially at the SE of Lake Bakili, the
=11:12:13 for the false color image, the color shade of the picritic lava flow appears dark bluish hue with the ring of
alkaline rich rock such as picrite should be appeared in blu- pinkish hue in decorrelation stretch composite image. The
ish. On the other hand, the poor alkaline rock such as basalt spectral information for the picritic lava on the image is
expects to appear greenish hue. affected by band 11 spectral range in response to the low
SiO2 content and high alkaline content of the bulk rock
5. ANALYSIS OF ASTER TIR DATA composition. On the other hand, pinkish hue corresponding
to the hyaloclastite ring is affected by band 13 range,
First image of the Erta Ale range by the ASTER TIR was because the hyaloclatite has the glassy matrix (amorphous
acquired in the nighttime on February 6, 2000, which was silica). Fine color differences are recognized of the same
two months later after the launch of the satellite TERRA basaltic lava field at the NE area of the Alu Horst. This
(Fig. 2). One year after, 4 more scenes were acquired anew might be affecting by the appearance of andesine phenoc-
and decorrelation stretch composite images of B:G:R= ryst in the rock. Consequently, andesine rich basalt lava
10:12:14 prepared to judge the constancy of the data quality appears yellowish blue hue in response to the low emissiv-
(Fig. 3). The spectral information from the land surface ity at the band 11 range and on the contrary, andesine poor
keeps same condition except for the difference of color basalt appears more bluish hue in response to the high emis-
shade. A bright spot at the center of all images corresponds sivity affecting olivine phenocryst in the rock. Comparing
 Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER 353

Fig. 6. Decorrelation stretch composite image <left> and logarithmic residual composite image <right> for the Erta Ale range.

Fig. 7. Detail geological maps for the Alu - Dala Filla and Borale Ale <left> and the Erta Ale are <right> (modified after Barberi and Varet, 1970).

with these two types of lava, it is considered that andesine content (Na2O+K2O) is older eruption than andesine abun-
poor lava such as olivine basalt or picrite with high alkaline dant lava. The Alu horst has ellipsoidal shape and elongated
354 Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuaki Matsuo

NNW-SSE is also built of old basaltic lava, which appears the slope. This should be affected by abundant andesine
slightly darker bluish hue than peripheral lava field. This phenocryst in the rock. The top of the Erta Ale volcano is
darker bluish hue also considers affecting the high alkaline occupied by an elipsoidal caldera elongated NNW-SSE
content as same as SE of Lake Bakili. Accordingly, the geo- direction. The two pit-craters of the Erta Ale still contain
logic history on the eruption in this area represents the molten lava lake. The oldest lava at the eastern side consist
undifferentiation of magma clearly. Moreover, the Alu Horst of picritic basalt, which was covered by subareal flows of
itself appears more reddish hue than same horst structural plagioclase porphyritic and picritic basalts, which appear
range. This considers to be influenced by silica supply from greenish blue or yellowish blue as same as the Alu-Dalafilla
later silicic volcanic activity of the NW side and the Dala volcanic range. The recent lava flow fills the main part of
Filla volcano. This silicic volcanic activity supports to the the caldera and flows over its southern threshhold. The lava
undifferentiation of magma in the eruption history. The flow considers as the plagioclase porphyritic basaltic andes-
Dala Filla volcano is formed by accumulation of rhyolitic ite, which appears pure magenta hue at the summit area and
lava flow extending to the East. The lava constituting the peripheral slope area with meandering feature.
sharp cone is the porphyritic rock with glassy matrix. Con- As a conclusion, the following items are verified by the
sequently, the silicic lava appears pinkish hue affecting rich rock type classification in the Erta Ale range.
SiO2 content as the narrow area. 1). A usefulness to classify the volcanic rock types with
the emissivity behavior based on the silicate minerals rang-
5.2. Borale Ale ing from basalt to rhyolite by decorrelation stretch and log-
arithmic residual images of ASTER TIR.
According to the description by Barberi and Varet (1970), 2). A possibility of the influence of alkaline components
the lava fields constituting the base of the Borale Ale unit to the spectral characteristics in addition to the SiO2 content
have emitted through three different types of fissures. Lava in the rock on ASTER TIR image.
activity at these fissures produced the median bulge-shaped
shield volcano of the Eritorian direction. Large pahoehoe 6. DISCUSSION
flows cover the whole summit. On the other hand, both side
of the Borale Ale are covered by recent Aa lava flows. The 6.1. Correlation with the SIR-C/X-SAR
central part of the Borale Ale is formed by the accumulation
of viscous silicic lava flow that is characterized by the The rock type classification with the ASTER TIR sug-
mainly blocky and the interbedded pyroclastics. Conse- gested the usefulness of the multi-spectral bands in thermal
quently, the silicic lava from the Borale Ale appears pink infrared region. We would like to discuss about the appro-
hue affecting rich silica content in response to band 13 priation of our interpretation with the ASTER TIR with the
spectral range. The recent Aa lava flows with spatter cones SIR-C/X-SAR composite image of the Erta Ale Range co-
appear dark greenish hue. This considers affecting the feld- registered in Fig. 2. The radar data is generally affected by
spar in the rock. Same characteristics are recognized at the the roughness of the surface. If the surface is smooth, the
Ale Bagu. On the other hand, at the NW side of the Borale target object appears dark hue on the image, because the
Ale volcano, trachyte volcanic activity are also determined incidence wave behaves specular reflection as coherent
by Barberi and Varet (1970). Trachyte lava appears magenta component and then the signal to the antenna become weak
hue in response to band 11 and 13 spectral range on the or no return. On the other hand, in the case of coarse sur-
image. This is affected by intermediate rock composition face, incoherent component become increasing and signal
between basalt and rhyolite. The appearance of pyroxene to the antenna become strong and a result of this, the target
phenocryst or microphenocryst will be expected as the rock object appear bright hue. This character of the radar some-
forming mineral. Light magenta hue is recognized at the times applies for the geological interpretations. A SIR-C/X-SAR
peripheral slope of the Borale Ale up to the Erta Ale. This composite image of the Erta Ale range is showing bright
corresponds to the distribution of oldest lava flow in this and dark hued area. Bright hued area concentrates at the
area and the volcanic rock type will be expected as inter- Alu Dala Filla to the Borale Ale and meandering feature
mediate such as basaltic trachy andesite. can recognize at the peripheral slope of the Erta Ale. The
distribution of them corresponds to the basalt from the
5.3. Erta Ale result of our interpretation. Basaltic lava are characterized
by two types of flows such as pahoehoe and aa. The former
The Erta Ale is presently the most active volcano of the pahoehoe lava flow causes by the low viscosity due to the
whole Erta Ale range, in which it occupies a central posi- poor silica content and forms the smooth surface after cool-
tion. It is mainly built by the accumulation of basaltic flow ing. On the contrary, the later aa lava flow is characterized
along median fissures of the volcanic chain. Basaltic lava by the rugged surface named for clinker. Consequently, it is
flow appears yellowish blue hue with meandering feature at considered that the aa lava flow shows bright hue affected
 Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER 355

by the roughness in the SIR-C/X-SAR composite image. MMAJ (2000) proposes the following equation for the SiO2
This supports our interpretation with the ASTER TIR and estimation with band 10 to 13 of ASTER.
insists the usefulness to classify the volcanic rock types by
ASTER multi-spectral bands in thermal infrared region SiO2(%)=56.20-271.09×
from 8.125 to 11.65 μm. Log((Ems[10]+Ems[11]+Ems[12])/3/Ems[13])
If brought up another influence to appear bright hue, it Ems[n]: emissivity of ASTER band n (1)
considers affecting the occurrence of many fissures which
are parallel to NNW - SSW direction of the Erta Ale range. We applied the above equation to estimate the SiO2 con-
The most of the volcanic activities in the Erta Ale range are tent of volcanic rocks in the Erta Ale range. The methods
characterized by the eruption from fissures by geological of temperature - emissivity separation are suggested and
point of view. These fissures might be affected to the SIR- discussed by various past papers. If it ignores the atmo-
C/X-SAR image. The bright hued area can also recognize spheric correction, the emissivity values for each ASTER
of the silicic lava flow at the Dala Filla, Borale Ale and Ale TIR bands can assume to be estimated by the log residual
Bagu. The Silicic lava has high viscosity, consequently, the process. The effectivity of the log residual process for the
lava dome and the high dense pyroclastic flow are observed geological application is introduced by Hook (1992).
as the typical volcanologic phenomena in its eruption pro- Fig. 8 shows the emissivity of the typical rock samples at
cess. The silicic lava dome usually shows rough surface the center wavelength of ASTER TIR and the relationship
such as the columnar jointed or blocky feature and the large between the measured SiO2 content in the laboratory and
volcanic breccias are composed of pyroclastics. Accord- calculated SiO2 content by the equation. The calculated SiO2
ingly, these geological evidences consider as the cause of content tend to estimate lower value than the measured con-
the bright hue in the Erta Ale range and are affected in the tent from minus 5 to 10%, but the correlation suppose to be
roughness on the SAR image. concordant on the whole.
Based on this result, we tried to estimate the SiO2 content
6.2. Estimation of SiO2 Content with ASTER TIR of the volcanic rocks ranging from magnesian transitional
basalt to rhyolite in the Erta Ale range. The result almost
ASTER has five spectral bands in thermal infrared range. corresponds with the actual geological feature and the spec-
Several preliminary studies to estimate SiO2 content by tral analysis of the ASTER TIR data (Fig. 9) in narrow
thermal infrared data (8.3−12.5 μm) were discussed by range of the SiO2 content. However, the estimated SiO2
ERSDAC (1991, 1992) and MMAJ (1998-2000). Especially, content for the silicic lava at Dala Filla, Borale Ale and Ale

Fig. 8. Emissivity spectra of typical volcanic rock samples from laboratory measurement (left) and correlation between measured SiO2
content and calculated SiO2 content from the proposed equation by MMAJ (2000).
356 Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuaki Matsuo

Fig. 9. SiO2 content map for the Erta Ale range. A−A’ to D−D’ profiles are showing the detail of the lateral change of SiO2 content
in each traverse lines.

Bagu seem to be lower than the actual rock composition As a conclusion, the estimation of SiO2 content with ASTER
which was determined by past studies. Essentially, higher TIR is very useful for geological application and classifies
SiO2 content should be estimated at these silicic lava fields the rock type of various rock types except for the accuracy
than the Erta Ale center. This might represent an uncer- of the equation.
tainty of the equation for the SiO2 estimation or real rock
properties in the Erta Ale range. We need to take rock sam- 6.3. Comparison with Daytime TIR Data
ples to compare with the measured SiO2 content to validate
the equation. A daytime ASTER TIR data of Erta Ale range was acquired
In addition to the result from Erta Ale range, we also on June 28, 2000, which covers from Gada Ale to Borale
applied for the ASTER TIR data to the Semail ophiolite Ale. We applied same method for the daytime data to dis-
(the Tethian oceanic lithosphere), which locates at the Ara- cuss the effectiveness of the SiO2 estimation with ASTER
bian Peninsula (Fig. 10). The Semail ophiolite is composed TIR, because the temperature factor is superior to the emis-
of the mantle peridotite (the foliated orthopyroxene bearing sion factor in the daytime.
harzburgite) in the lower unit to the basaltic andesite with The logarithmic residual composite image and the SiO2
hyaloclastite in the upper unit. The median unit is com- content map are shown in Fig. 11. Compared with Fig. 9,
posed of the tonalite, diabase and gabbro. In petrological the false color hue on the logarithmic residual image of the
point of view, sequential rock compositions of Semail ophi- daytime appears more clearly and enhanced feature rather
olite are plotted at narrow range of SiO2 content in contrast than the nighttime data. It is able to distinguish between
with the Erta Alle range. Profile line a-a’ in Fig. 10 was set picritic and andesine basalts in Alu Dala Filla area. Picritic
to cover from the lower unit (a) to the upper unit (a’). The basalt appears blue and andesine basalt appears greenish
SiO2 content increases gradually to the upper unit and yellow respectively. Differences of rock type also can rec-
implies a geological boundary in the ophiolite unit. This is ognize in the SiO2 content map. Picritic basalt appears less
also indicated on the logarithmic residual composite image SiO2 content (more bluish shade) than andesine basalt. The
as the appearance of magenta hue in the upper unit. estimated SiO2 content with daytime and nighttime ASTER
 Rock type classification by multi-band TIR of ASTER 357

Fig. 10. Logarithmic residual composite image and SiO2 map for the Semail Ophiolite, Oman. The detail profile of SiO2 content on the
a−a’ traverse is shown lower right.

data indicate the concordant behavior in A-A’ and B-B' result seems consistent with the analysis by using TIR data.
traverse lines. However, relative changes of the SiO2 con-
tent are affected to the content map of daytime TIR data. 7. CONCLUSION
Consequently, it seems to be easy to distinguish between
high and low SiO2 content area rather than the nighttime The ASTER TIR multi-spectral bands ranging from 8.125
data in the same color scale. As a conclusion, the emission to 11.65 μm are very useful to classify the rock type based
data in thermal infrared range in the daytime is also useful on the emission spectrum affecting the SiO2 content. In
to classify the rock types as the nighttime data. It tends to addition to this result, we pointed out the influence of alka-
be enhanced rather than the nighttime data because of stron- line components of the rock to the emission spectrum. This
ger signal caused by high temperature. might be affected by Si-O bond vibration caused by the
atomic size of alkaline component inside SiO4 tetrahedral
6.4. Comparison with the VNIR data and the DTM unit. However, we must investigate more detail about the
influence of alkaline components to emission behavior.
As well known, ASTER has 3 VNIR bands and additional The direct estimation of SiO2 content with the emissivity
backward looking NIR band, which enables to generate the from the ASTER TIR indicates concordant relation to the
Digital Generation Model.In general, silisic lava has high measured results in both nighttime and daytime data. Its
reflectance in VNIR region and appears white. Silisic lava result from the daytime implied more sensitive rather than
in Dala Filla and Borale Ale are shown in white in VNIR nighttime and the other logarithmic residual composite
image. In addition, the DTM generated from NIR data of image also indicated good relation to the actual rock type.
ASTER show the topographic information and it is shown Generally, the thermal factor is superior to the emission fac-
that they are shown as a small ridge in this local area. This tor in the daytime, but we can also conclude the usefulness
358 Hiroshi Watanabe and Kazuaki Matsuo

Fig. 11. Logarithmic residual composite image and SiO2 map for the Erta Ale range by daytime data. The comparison with the estimated
SiO2 content between daytime and nighttime data are shown lower right.

of the day time ASTER TIR multi-spectral bands and VNIR Korme, T., Chorowicz, J., Collet, B. and Bonavia, F.F., 1997, Vol-
and associated DEM to classify the rock type. canic vents rooted on extension fractures and their geodynamic
implications in the Ethiopian Rift, Journal of Volcanology and
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