The effects of alteration degree, moisture and temperature on laser return intensity for mapping geothermal manifestations

Understanding alteration processes in geothermal systems through remote sensing can help assess the prospectivity of a field. As result which, detection and mapping are vital early exploration stage. However, many surface manifestations, which evidence processes, often occur densely vegetated areas, particularly tropical regions. Current lithological techniques using passive have problems with vegetation canopy completely blocking signal. LiDAR, an active system, be solution since it (partially) penetrate canopy. It collects information from ground 3D-coordinated points laser return intensity (LRI) values. In this study, we test for first time possibility differentiating hydrothermally altered rocks their LRI values laboratory experiment. We scanned selected unaltered under different moisture temperature conditions terrestrial scanner (at 1550 nm wavelength). Our results show follow degree alteration: strongly highest LRI, at lowest, weakly intermediate response. Varying decrease all rocks, but relative order due to remains intact. recorded no significant effect on any stages. provide that hydrothermal phases distinguished by opens up potential airborne manifestations LRI.