Fotografia kosmiczna na usługach geologii

Abstract

COSMIC PHOTOGRAPHY IN SERVICE FOR GEOLOGYSummaryDue to a considerable progress in rocket and satellite technique, a new method of geological research developed in the last 25 years. The method consists in taking photographs of the Earth's surface using artificial sattelites, and by the human crews of space ships.Cosmic photographs for geological purposes are made approximately at a height of 160-250 km, in exception cases also at higher distances. Cosmic photographs, particularly colour ones, reveal interesting advantages. They allow us to cover greater areas of study, where a given geological phenomenon, or a series of geological phenomena appear. Moreover, they enable us also to investigate both quickly changing forms and those of stable nature.Cosmic photography is highly valuable for, geological cartography, as well. It allows us, for example, to recognize large tectonics within a given continent, and even to investigate tectonics of intercontinental character. Using cosmic photography we may correct also charts of large oceanic areas particularly where islands are remote some thousand kilometers from the continent.Geological research carried out from the cosmic space allows us to recognize not only the geological processes on the Earth, but it helps in explanation of different geological forms on other planets, e.g. on Mars and Moon, too.