CHARACTERIZING QUATERNARY FAULTING IN THE HUMBOLDT RIVER VALLEY, NV USING LIDAR AND HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGERY

In order to characterize Quaternary faulting and to assess the geothermal potential in the Humboldt River Valley, NV we have linked remote sensing techniques with field observations at the Humboldt House geothermal field. HyMap hyperspectral imagery allowed us to map the distribution of hot spring and fumarolic minerals due to its high spatial and spectral resolution. Our mineral distribution maps of the Humboldt House area were validated in the field with a handheld spectrometer. The dominant N-NE trending linear distribution of hot spring and fumarolic minerals implies a structurally controlled deposition. Overlying all Lake Lahontan deposits, the hot spring outcrops are constrained to Holocene age and thus represent the most recent faulting expressions in the Rye Patch-Humboldt House geothermal district. In addition, using LiDAR data with 0.5m spot spacings and 15cm vertical resolution we documented deformation patterns in the Humboldt River Valley. The linkage of HyMap-generated mineral maps with LiDAR-generated digital elevation models allows for accurate mapping of fault scarps, hot spring mounds, dune sands, and fluvial deposits. Hyperspectral and LiDAR remote sensing methods together provide an outstanding set of tools for geothermal resource exploration, fault mapping, and geomorphic characterization.