Composite color images of aerial gamma‐ray spectrometric data

Abstract

Aerial gamma‐ray data provide estimates of the apparent surface concentrations of potassium (K), equivalent uranium (eU), and equivalent thorium (eTh). These data can be expressed as nine radiometric parameters: K, eU, eTh, eU/eTh, eU/K, eTh/K, eTh/eU, K/eU, and K/eTh. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a technique which combines any three of these parameters to form a composite color image. The color image provides a partial synthesis of the radiometric data that can be used to aid geologic mapping and mineral exploration. The sample data set, from the Freer area in south Texas, illustrates the use of the color images.