Fossil Locality Predictive Model Using GIS RS

Hard work and chance are nearly always among the deciding factors in finding new, important, and productive paleontological localities. Fossil locality predictive models have the potential to reduce unproductive field time and maximize hard work thus increasing the chances researchers have to find important localities. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS data from known localities were summarized, reclassified and used in a weighted suitability analysis to categorize fossil locality potential. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS data alone offers a less accurate prescription of fossil locality potential. Additional physical and environmental factors play a role in determining the chance of finding fossils. Slope degree and aspect data from known localities were summarized and analyzed to further refine the model. The usefulness of fossil locality predictive models is dependent upon the quality of input data and methods used to determine fossil locality potential. In order to fully determine the quality of a fossil locality predictive model, field work testing the model must be conducted.