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Archived: Interstate Technical Group on Abandoned Underground Mines
Fourth Biennial Abandoned Underground Mine Workshop

Outline: Use of Airborne Thermal Infrared Imaging, EM Conductivity, Total Field Magnetics to Identify Faults,
Acid Mine Drainage Plumes, and Groundwater Discharge Zones

Abstract ]

Richard W. Hammack


Thermal Infrared Imaging

  • Locates springs, seeps, and mine discharges
  • Acquired from aircraft platform
  • Night-time data collection during winter months
    Maximizes thermal contrast between surface and groundwater
    Temperature resolution - 0.1 degrees centigrade
  • Correction of imagery
    Aircraft attitude
    Topographic
    Polynomial stretching using ground control points
  • Examples
    Mine discharges
    Seeps and springs
    Cultural anomalies

EM Conductivity

  • Locate plumes of contaminated (conductive) groundwater
  • Locate alteration envelopes along fault zones
  • Acquired from helicopter platform (sling load)
  • Data processing
    Contoured data overlain on DOQQ or draped from a DEM
    Cross-sections using inverted conductivity data
  • Examples
    Plume of contaminated groundwater
    Faults
    Sources of acidic groundwater

Total Field Magnetics

  • Locates geologic contacts and faults
  • Acquired from aircraft platform
  • Detects differences in the abundance of magnetic minerals
  • Data processing
    Contoured data overlain on DOQQ or draped from a DEM
  • Examples
    Lava flow
    Faults

Resistivity

  • Locate mine subsidence "chimneys"
  • Vertical grout distribution
  • Ground
  • Example
    I77 Guernsey County, Ohio

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Updated: 02/12/2018
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