Geological study of sedimentary basins using SPOT data

This paper illustrates the benefits of DTMs created from SPOT images for the exploration of sedimentary basins. We chose an example located in the Ebro sedimentary basin in Spain, characterized by good outcropping conditions and slight deformations. The data used consist of a pair of SPOT panchromatic images and a SPOT XS image. The work consists of making up a 3D database, followed by interpretation of stereo pairs computed from orthoimages and the DTM. This interpretation is made on a stereoscopic desk and results in a digital file containing in the form of vectors all the observed faults and lithology. These vectors are then used to make calculations on the geometry of the objects they represent: we demonstrate that we can accurately measure layer directions and dips, sediment thicknesses and fault throws. Synthesis of perspective views made at the same time provide a good understanding of the structures and help to test their geometric consistency. Thus knowledge about relief given by DTMs helps to interpret remote detection images in 3D space, and particularly to accurately quantify the results of this interpretation.