Land subsidence is an ongoing problem negatively affecting Victoria County along the Gulf Coast. Groundwater withdrawal and hydrocarbon extraction in the County are some of the known factors behind this geological hazard. In this study, we have used geospatial analysis and a conceptual model to evaluate land subsidence. A significant decline in the groundwater level in this area was noted from 2006 to 2016. The decline in the water level correlates with the major drought events along the Gulf Coast reported in earlier studies. These results are further corroborated by the emerging hotspot analysis performed on the groundwater data. This analysis divides the study area into intensifying, sporadic, and persistent hotspots in the northwest region and intensifying, persistent coldspots in the southeast region of Victoria County. Hydrocarbon production data show high oil and gas extraction from 2017 to 2021. There are a higher number of hydrocarbon production wells in the central and southern regions of the County than elsewhere. The conceptual models relate these events and suggest the existence of subsidence in the County, through which the water and hydrocarbon reservoirs in the study area may lose their reservoir characteristics due to sediment compaction.

As the 21st century advances, the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is rising, necessitating more robust exploration methods. Our research group is using hyperspectral remote sensing as a tool for mapping REEs. Unique spectral features of bastnaesite mineral, has proven effective for detection of REE with both spaceborne and airborne data. In our study, we collected hyperspectral data using a Senop hyperspectral camera in field and a SPECIM hyperspectral camera in the laboratory settings. Data gathered from California’s Mountain Pass district revealed bastnaesite-rich zones and provided detailed insights into bastnaesite distribution within rocks. Further analysis identified specific bastnaesite-rich rock grains. Our results indicated higher concentrations of bastnaesite in carbonatite rocks compared to alkaline igneous rocks. Additionally, rocks from the Sulphide Queen mine showed richer bastnaesite concentrations than those from the Birthday shonkinite stock. Results were validated with thin-section studies and geochemical data, confirming the reliability across different hyperspectral data modalities. This study demonstrates the potential of drone-based hyperspectral technology in augmenting conventional mineral mapping methods and aiding the mining industry in making informed decisions about mining REEs efficiently and effectively.