More Multi-spectral Image Feature Identification

The plethora of earth's physical features that can be identified by way of multi-spectral, remotely-sensed images is endless.  Different band (wavelength) combinations, and display of specific bands symbolized in unique ways, allow for all manner of object identification.  "False color" band combinations, for instance, can be used to detect areas of normal and abnormal vegetative growth- identified by the way in which these areas absorb and reflect different wavelengths of radiation.

The above image, using Landsat ETM+ thermal band 6, allows for the identification of forest fires- depicted as bright yellow pixels in the north-east quadrant of the image.  Band 6, the thermal infrared (IR) layer of the multi-spectral image, can be "stretched" along a color ramp, such that the "coolest" (lowest) pixel values are at one end of the spectrum, and those highest ("warmest") values are at the other extreme.  The colors in this image are stretched in a manner that conveys the warmest portions of this remotely-sensed area (the parts that are literally on fire) are displayed as an entirely different color than the other (non-burning) parts of the area- making the fires immediately visible within the landscape.