Close range hyperspectral and lidar data integration for geological outcrop analysis

The use of spatial data collection techniques in geology has increased significantly in recent years, with methods such as laser scanning (lidar) becoming popular. However, the remote mapping of rock properties within the geological outcrops remains a major challenge. This study develops a workflow for combining and utilising ground based hyperspectral and laser scanning data. This workflow is presented for two case studies, each with different geological settings and mineral composition. Multiple hyperspectral and lidar scans were acquired to gain both spectral and geometric data. Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering was utilised to extract and map geological features from the spectral images, resulting in thematic images. This combination of geometrically accurate lidar data and spectral mapping of lithology has significant implications for the improved collection of geological data.