Mapping of Hydrothermally Altered Areas Using ASTER and ETM+ Data in Northern Half of Baft Geological Map

The study area covers the northern half of the Baft 1/100000 geological map in Dehaj-Sarduiyeh volcanic-sedimentary and ophiolitic belts. The aim of this research was application of multispectral ASTER and ETM+ data for determining the altered areas by using different image processing techniques. In order to separate altered zones, false color composite of the ratios was applied on ASTER data that separated propylitic and phyllic/argillic altered zones. Separation of carbonate areas from the altered areas was achieved by making false color composite ratios. Another method for separation of carbonate areas from the altered zone was by applying principal component analysis (PCA) on short wave bands of ASTER data. A color composite of PC2, PC3, -PC4 in red, green and blue respectively was useful for separating carbonate from altered areas. Spectral Angle mapper method was also used for recognizing and mapping the minerals such as muscovite, chlorite, kaolinite, calcite and epidote in altered zones. Sampling from the altered areas and their analysis showed that this method could be used for recognizing the minerals in the altered areas, if they have enough spatial extent.