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Articles

1978: Vol. LV, No. 2

Satellite Imagery and its Applications to Offshore Mapping in Australia

Submitted
August 7, 2015
Published
2015-07-09

Abstract

Terrestrial imagery obtained by scanners aboard the U.S. LANDSAT series satellites has already found application in a multitude of programs of earth resources enquiry. A description of the Landsat system and details of the multi-spectral scanning sub-system serve to introduce the possible applications of this imagery to mapping in general and to the Division of National Mapping’s bathymetric program in particular. Imagery obtained at satellite altitudes over ocean-water areas enables the identification of shallow water features such as islands, coral reefs and shoals. The shortage of existing maps of many offshore areas suggests the use of the imagery in these regions. The planimetric accuracy of the imagery, problems of improving the geometric fidelity, the methods of identifying oceanic features and the methods by which shallow water depth information can be extracted from the scanner data are considered in a discussion of the use of this information for bathymetric mapping purposes.