Conjugate utilization of Landsat-8 OLI, ground gravity and magnetic data for targeting mafic cumulates within anorthositic-layered complex of Sittampundi, India

In this article, we have processed Landsat-8 spectral bands, ground gravity, and magnetic data for delineating the mafic cumulates within the anorthositic-layered complex in Sittampundi, Tamilnadu, India. In this regard, surface anomaly map of mafic cumulates was derived by processing spectral bands of Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensor using matched filtering method. Residual gravity, magnetic anomaly maps are also derived. Spatial position of geophysical anomalies corroborate well with the spectral anomalies. A promising zone of chromitite occurrences is identified at the eastern fringe of the study area based on the concurrence of spectral and geophysical anomalies. Spatial profiles of geophysical and spectral anomalies around this promising zone are similar to the respective spatial profiles observed around the known chromite bearing mafic cumulates. Depth continuity of the mafic cumulates is confirmed by deriving of gravity and magnetic anomaly map at different depth using upward continuation filters to confirm concealed deposit.