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.

The warming of Alaska’s permafrost has been leading to thawing within its discontinuous permafrost. This can cause ice wedges to melt, resulting in thermokarst formations such as sinkholes and landslides, which are causing damage to Alaskan infrastructure. To avoid developing further infrastructure in areas containing ice wedges, it is necessary to improve methods of detecting subsurface ground ice. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a nonintrusive remote sensing method of locating and characterizing permafrost and other subsurface features that are not evident on a cut face or surface. When applied to the detection of ice wedges at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory permafrost tunnel in Fox, Alaska, a few identifying features have been observed which corresponded with prior research. We first use GPR reflections of areas along the tunnel walls holding known ice wedges to verify the identifying features of an ice wedge within GPR data. We use these reflections as test data to identify possible ice wedges in locations where they were not observed on the tunnel walls.

The University of Houston’s USIP (Undergraduate Student Instrument Project) Remote Sensing team is designing and building an airborne LiDAR with the intention of using it to 3D map landslides and for possible mineral exploration. The maps will be used to conduct landslide analyses and failure predictions while the magnetometer feedback will be used to determine the presence of possible metallic minerals in the area. The LiDAR will employ the use of two lasers with different output wavelengths; 1550nm will be used for typical terrain mapping and 532nm will be used for snow depth reading to extrapolate the underlying terrain characteristics. Trade studies are currently underway for the lasers, sensors, IMU’s and magnetometers. It is planned for the LiDAR to collect data near Fairbanks, Alaska, with further research into potential study sites being conducted. The scan pattern is still being decided on with the most likely option being a circular scan for the 532nm laser and a zig zag pattern for the 1550nm laser both set at a maximum scan angle of 20 degrees. The Remote Sensing team has been facing unforeseen obstacles due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon initial lockdown, weekly scheduled in person meetings and lab work were prohibited. After the first week, though, new mediums of communication were established. The USIP group decided to conduct online meetings through Microsoft Teams and use Slack for text-based communication outside of meetings. Unfortunately, lockdown and COVID chaos brought psychological issues to group members that can be difficult to overcome. This included high stress levels caused by the chaotic events as well as isolation-induced depression. After some deliberation amongst all USIP groups, it was decided to occasionally hold non work-related meetings through Microsoft Teams. This reduced some of the isolation depression by relaxing, talking, and eating pizza. After lockdown restrictions were lifted, the university had begun preventing the previous number of students from being in the lab at once. On top of that, individuals were understandably hesitant to go to the lab, often opting out. Despite this, small groups of USIP students have been going to the labs to clean, disinfect, and get the lab ready for work. New lab procedures have also been created to adhere to social distancing norms.