Identifying Surface Mine Extent Across Central Appalachia Using Time Series Analysis, 1984-2015

The Appalachians, and Central Appalachia in particular, have a long history of resource extraction including coal mining. In the past half century, region experienced shift from underground to surface mining, which leaves highly visible changes on landscape. This study presents an analysis mining extents between 1984 2015 using remote sensing techniques, tests methods previous research over broader area. authors found that 3070 km2 (7.1%) land within central Appalachian coalfield was classified as mined through period, rate newly land, well total has decreased recent years. overall classification accuracy 0.888 kappa coefficient 0.880. Study results indicate previously developed for identifying mines sub-region can successfully be applied region. resulting datasets will future examining potential human health impacts