Environmental Studies and Biology Webinar with Jim Chapman of NC Geological Survey

UNC Asheville’s Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies are hosting a webinar presented by Jim Chapman, senior geologist for oil and gas regulation at N.C. Geological Survey, part of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

This online event is free and open to everyone, beginning at noon on Thursday, Oct. 29, via this zoom link and using the passcode “seminar.”

Webinar Abstract

Placer mineral deposition modeling in N.C.’s Piedmont/Coastal Plain transition using spectral signatures from Earth Observation satellite imagery

At the N.C. Geological Survey, Chapman is using imagery from the Landsat and Sentinel earth observation satellite missions to manipulate their spectral signatures in order to isolate surficial iron-oxide and kaolinite placer mineral deposits in North Carolina’s piedmont/coastal plain transition (Fall Zone). Rare Earth Elements (REE) host minerals, such as Monazite, are frequently associated with these minerals. A second current project involves constructing a geochemical atlas of North Carolina from data gathered for the 1970s era National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) project. The intent is to turn the atlas into an interactive dashboard for public access.