USGS Afghanistan Reconstruction Project

Geospatial Task Leaders

Phil Davis (Flagstaff, AZ) – database generation and remote sensing

Trent Hare (Flagstaff, AZ) - GIS

Bob Bohannon (Denver, CO) – geologic/structure mapping

Pete Chirico (Reston, VA) – topography

Eric Wood (Sioux Falls, SD) – website and database clearinghouse

Geospatial Objectives

1. Develop an integrated GIS data framework for Afghanistana. Provides fundamental databases to resource assessment teamsb. Supports many other activities related to reconstructionc. Consists of:

a. Previously published maps (geologic, topographic)b. Satellite and aircraft imageryc. New map products d. Relevant reportse. Metadataf. Archival and retrieval system – this also serves as the basis for helping to establish a national spatial data infrastructure for the Afghanistan government

d. Ensures that all databases and metadata conform to FGDC stds

2. Afghanistan capacity building – to restore AGS to functionality and bring AGCHO up to current state-of-the-art technology

a. Infrastructure (buildings, equipment)b. Personnel training

What has been done thus far and is ongoing?

Assessment, Collection, and Digital Productionof Pre-existing Data

Aerial Photography: film archived at AGCHO, but in old distorted format

Geographic Map: archived a DRG of published map, but not detailed – now some names and province boundaries have changed.

Needs to be revised, hopefully using the detailed IKONOS 1-m base mapsand cultural database residing at NGA (was NIMA, DMA). Very good training

project for AGCHO.

Topographic Maps: AGCHO has some, more detailed maps than the Russian topographic maps, but mostly for urban areas. Russian 1:50K maps found to be accurate, at least horizontally.

1:200K Russian Topographic Maps (DRG – roughly controlled) 1:50K Russian Topographic Maps (DRG – well controlled)

Assessment, Collection, and Digital Productionof Pre-existing Data

Geologic Maps:

Vectorization completed: 1:1M Russian Geologic Maps (countrywide) 1:1M Russian Tectonic Maps (countrywide) 1:500K German Geologic Maps (covers south and central Afghanistan) 1:500K Russian Geologic Maps (countrywide) - digitized by Russians, funded by USGS Minerals Team (Jeff Doebrich)

Vectorization in progress: 1:100K Russian Geologic Maps of northern coal district

Basic Projection Rules

For scales ≤ 500K - use Transverse Mercator projection Central meridian = 66 E Reference latitude = 34 N Scale = 0.9996 Easting = 0 Northing = 0

For scales > 500K - use UTM; zones 41, 42, or 43

Collection of and Map Production using Satellite Data

Currently in Archive: Landsat 28.5 m 6-band database (controlled to 50 m) raw and

atmospheric-corrected dataLandsat 14.25 m panchromatic database (controlled to 50 m)SRTM DEM – 85 m cell, countrywideASTER imagery - level 1B and selected 1A (1B mostly staged now)

Attempting to Acquire: IKONOS 1m image base and cultural attribute database - NGA

Hyperion - NGAC-band 25-m radar (Radarsat data) – NASA

Satellite Mapping in Process:Landsat 14.25-m 6-band, seamless, stored as map quads1:250K Landsat base maps - false and natural color1:250K geologic and structure maps – using LandsatSite-specific, detailed topography – using ASTERSite-specific geologic maps (northern coal district) - using Landsat, ASTER

Green boxes = ShuttleSAR L-band data

Blue boxes = JERS SARL-band data

Red boxes outlineSAR C-band data inNASA archive at25 m resolution.

Voids to be coveredwith new spaceborne SAR data.

Archive and Access to USGS Project Databases

Temporary Storage NodeDenver Federal Center

Central Data NodeEROS Data Facility

gisdata.usgs.net/website/afghan

Public InformationProject Archive and Access

Temporary Storage NodeFlagstaff Field Center

Temporary Storage NodesReston HQ

Preservation of AGS and MMI Library Archives

Except for documents and maps of immediate need by resource teams,we will assume that BGS is going to convert the important library materialsto digital form for permanent archive and access.

Is this true for MMI materials?

Near-term Goals for the Geospatial Team

Field Work – to support particular resource assessment teams.

Geologic Map Production – complete map quads identified as priorities by assessment teams, publish as open files.

Topographic Map Production – produce high-resolution topographic maps using ASTER imagery for areas identified as priorities by assessment teams.

Base Map Production – complete countrywide Landsat false-color and natural-color maps at 14.25 m resolution, publish as open files.

Expand Data Archive to include: 25-cm radar imagery (countrywide) more ASTER imagery IKONOS 1-m imagery (countrywide) ?? HYPERION imagery ??

Improve Central Data Node Functionality

Near-term Goals for the Geospatial Team

Training – limited until facilities refurbished and equipment in place.

Near Term: (May-June) - Database production in GIS environment

- Principles of remote sensing - Fundamental image processing

Longer Term: (when facilities completed) - Geologic and structural field studies and mapping - Modern methods of topographic mapping (softcopy, LIDAR) - Digital map production - Database archive and website production and management - Remote sensing – basic principles, airborne and spaceborne sensor characteristics and capabilities, image processing, field and laboratory studies, and project applications

Assessment of Infrastructure and Personnel

AGS: Infrastructure – only battered shell of building, all essential requirements for operation lacking

Personnel – most are motivated, but need training in: 1. English 2. Basic computer operations 3. Current mapping techniques – geologic, topographic 4. Remote sensing for mapping and exploration 5. GIS (some fundamental steps were taken in December, 2004) 6. Map production

AGCHO: Infrastructure – functional, but equipment and techniques are 1970’s vintage – need newer equipment and techniques

Personnel – most are motivated, expressed interest in training for: 1. Modern methods of topographic mapping 2. Modern methods of remote sensing 3. Will also need English and basic computer training

ETM band 1, 4, 7color compositeimage at ETM’s original 28.5 m resolution.

ETM band 1, 4, 7color compositeimage of same area at the enhanced 14.25 m resolution.