Application of Digital Image Processing Techniques to Geological and Geomorphological Features of Southwest Jordan

A Landsat image of the multispectral scanner system covering an area lying between the Aqabah Gulf and the southern margin of the Dead Sea was analyzed by digital image processing techniques to delineate various geological and structural features of southwest Jordan area. Two major techniques in digital image processing were employed. They are preprocessing and enhancement, and their constituent treatment processes. Types of lithology, lineaments and topographic contrasts of southwest Jordan were used as test criteria. Results of comparison indicate that the combination of images processed by first principal component, second principal component and filtered first principal component as assigned to the hue, saturation and intensity system coordinates, respectively, provided better results than products of other digital techniques. Such good results enable geologists to map major lithologies, lineaments and other structural features effectively, as well as to assess topographic variations.