Photo-lithological map of the southern flank of the Tindouf basin (Western Sahara)

This paper examines the potential to map surface geology by applying specific enhancement techniques to Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery, resulting in false color composite images, which were interpreted and then validated during a field campaign. The study area is located on the southern flank of the Tindouf Basin (Western Sahara), and it is noted that there is a general lack of bibliographic data due both to the region's remote location and to its difficult political situation. A number of photo-lithological units were mapped within the Proterozoic basement and the sedimentary succession of the Tindouf Basin incisively contributing to the knowledge of the geological setting of this area. © 2012 Andrea Ciampalini, Francesca Garfagnoli, Benedetta Antonielli, Chiara Del Ventisette and Sandro Moretti.