Importance of Elevation and Temperature Inversions for the Interpretation of Thermal Infrared Satellite Images Used in Geothermal Exploration

Examples of nighttime temperature inversions are shown in thermal infrared satellite images collected over the Coso geothermal field in eastern California. Temperature-elevation plots show the normal trend of temperature decrease with elevation, on which temperature inversions appear superimposed as opposite trends. Such inversions are common and they should be taken into account, along with the elevation effects, in order to optimize the correct identification in satellite images of surface temperature anomalies associated with geothermal systems.