Using the Geoscience Australia-CSIRO ASTER maps and airborne geophysics to explore Australian geoscience

This study evaluated the geological mapping potential of the recently released Australian CSIRO-GA ASTER satellite geoscience products in providing mineral abundance and compositional information. A range of environments was examined by using test sites including the temperate cultivated New South Wales area of Wagga Wagga, and the semi-arid rangeland Mt Fitton of South Australia. Data integration of the ASTER derived products was undertaken with geophysical data, digital elevation models and fractional vegetation cover information. The study demonstrated that these products can successfully assist geological mapping within semi-arid areas and, to a lesser extent, within temperate open woodland environments.