American-Eurasian Journal of Scientific Research 3 (1): 84-91, 2008

ISSN 1818-6785
© IDOSI Publications, 2008

Application of Optimum Index Factor Technique to Landsat-7 Data for

Geological Mapping of North East of Hajjah, Yemen

Ali M. Qaid and H.T. Basavarajappa

Department of Studies in Geology, University of Mysore, Manasagangtri, Mysore-750 006, India

Abstract: North east of Hajjah represents the southwestern extension of Nabitah belt which is a part of the
Arabian Shield. The geology of the area is very complicated and exposed to the different tectonic
movements. Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) provides six bands with 30 m resolution,
one panchromatic band with 15 m and one thermal band with 60 m resolution. Optimum Index Factor
(OIF) is one of the most common statistical methods which were applied in order to designate the most
favorable three band combinations. It is based on the total variance within bands and correlation coefficient
between bands. In this study OIF technique was applied to all bands of ETM+data. A number of 56 band
colour combinations were produced and analyzed using OIF. The highest value of OIF is 45.65 with the
first rank which is recorded the band combination 5-6-7. The aim of this study is to use OIF technique to
rank all the possible band colour combinations of ETM+data for geological mapping of north east of
Hajjah. The different analyses of all OIF values and their ranks showed that OIF technique is helpful for
selecting the suitable combination for geological mapping of the study area.

• • •
Key words: OIF Yemen Landsat-7 (ETM+) geological mapping combinations •

INTRODUCTION possible three-bands rendered as R-G-B. It is developed

The study area represents the southwestern
extension of Nabitah belt which is a part of the Arabian
Shield. The Arabian Shield is a part of a larger
geological ensemble, the Arabian-Nubian shield, which
covers several countries, mainly Egypt, Eritrea,
Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The geology of the north east of Hajjah is very
complicated due to the different tectonic events. The
by Chavez et al. [2] and Chavez et al. [3]. Values of
OIF were determined in order to designate the most
favorable band combination [4] and rank the band
subsets according to their information [5]. It is based on
the amount of total variance and correlation between
various bands [6, 7].
The used algorithm to compute the OIF for any
subset of three bands is:

 ∑ σ (i ) 
study area is located in the North East of Hajjah city,  n 

OIF = Max  n  [2]

between 43°36' 47" to 43°40' 24" longitudes and 15°42' =

18" to 15°50' 09" latitudes. The UTM between
351476.25 to 357860.25 E and from 1736760.00 to
1751268.00 N. Generally, the relief of the area is
mountainous, moderate to steep slopes, sharp-ridges
(Fig. 1). Buhe et al. [1] applied the OIF technique to
ASTER bands for studying the land cover of oases and
forest in XinJiang.
Selecting of three bands for a colour composite
(R-G-B) image is a tedious and time consuming
business since many combinations have to be tried
when working with ratio images. The OIF technique
simplifies that selection by quantitative evolution of the
scene statistics and avoids the time -consuming of visual
analysis process of large numbers of potential R-G-B
combinations. OIF is a statically calculation of every
∑ ( ) 
 
i 1
 
r j
j =1
OIF is the optimum index factor.
σ (i) is the standard deviation of k band.
r (j) is the correlation matrix value.
High value of OIF indicates, that the bands contain
much information (e.g., high standard deviation) with
little duplication (e.g., low correlation between the
bands) [1].
Landsat-7 (ETM+) is a multis pectral scanar which
was launched on April 15, 1999, carrying the ETM+
sensor [8]. ETM+ has eight bands, bands 1 through 3

Corresponding Author: Dr. Ali M. Qaid, Department of Studies in Geology, University of Mysore, Manasagangtri, Mysore-
750 006, India
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 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008
Fig. 1: Location and physiographical map of the study area
cover the visible light range with the 30 m resolution
and bands 4, 5 and 7 cover the infrared region with the
30 m resolution. Band 6 covers the thermal infrared
with 60 m resolution and band 8 is apanchromatic
with 15 m resolution [9]. The limitation of the OIF
calculation is that, the best combination for conveying
the overall information in a large scene may not be the
best combination for conveying the specific information
desired by the image analysis. This from experience in
most cases is reasonable and that also depends on the
type of study. The aim of this study is to use OIF
technique to rank all the possible three-band
combinations with the best favorable for geological
mapping of north east of Hajjah.
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
The Precambrian basement rocks of the study area
comprise a succession of metamorphosed volcanic and
volcano-sedimentary rocks produced in an arc
environment. These rocks are intruded by gabbro, syn-
tectonic, post-tectonic granite and granodiorites. The
Precambrian basement rocks represent the southwestern
extension of Nabitah belt which is a part of the Arabian
shield. They are unconformably overlain by
sedimentary rocks; Akbra Shale, Kohlan Sandstone and
Amran limestone. A number of tectonic events had
affected these rocks. The first effect is associated with
the movement of Arabian plate away from the African
plate in a NE direction since 40 Ma. [10]. The two
85
young ocean basins, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
are the result of this effect. The second effect is
associated with the intrusion of post tectonic granites
and granodiorites.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
ETM+data acquired on 12-02-2004 were geocoded
to the UTM projection (WGS 84-Zone 38 North) using
ERDAS Imagine version 9.1 image processing
software. The study area falls only in one scene (Path
1 6/ Raw 49). VNIR, SWIR and TIR bands were
resampled and registered to the 15 m resolution of
panchromatic, forming 8 bands. OIF technique was
applied to all bands.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fifty six of colour combinations (R-G-B) were
generated from all bands of ETM+(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8). Table 1 is showing the highest value of OIF for
the different groups (VNIR, VNIR + SWIR, VNIR +
TIR, SWIR + TIR, VNIR + SWIR + TIR, VNIR +
Panchromatic, SWIR + Panchromatic, VNIR + SWIR +
Panchromatic, VNIR + TIR + Panchromatic and SWIR
+ TIR + Panchromatic). Arrangement of bands in any
band colour combination as R-G-B doesn’t affect on the
values of OIF, it will be the same. Table 2, 3 and Fig. 2,
3 show the correlation and variance between the
different bands. VNIR and SWIR have high correlation
 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008

Table 1: Highest values of OIF and ranks of combinations of ETM+bands

Combination OIF Rank Spectrum region
5 6 7 45.65 1 SWIR+TIR
3 5 6 42.83 2 VNIR+SWIR+TIR
5 6 8 39.25 5 SWIR+TIR+Panchromatic
3 6 8 32.64 12 VNIR+SWIR+Panchromatic
3 4 6 32.55 13 VNIR+TIR
1 5 7 32.02 14 VNIR+SWIR
5 7 8 31.35 16 SWIR+Panchromatic
3 5 8 29.45 21 VNIR+SWIR+Panchromatic
1 3 8 23.35 47 VNIR+panchromatic
1 2 3 20.94 52 VNIR

Table 2: Correlation between ETM+bands

Band Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8
1 1.000 0.957 0.890 0.808 0.790 0.334 0.765 0.698
2 0.957 1.000 0.971 0.869 0.892 0.345 0.878 0.784
3 0.890 0.971 1.000 0.838 0.923 0.327 0.928 0.795
4 0.808 0.869 0.838 1.000 0.873 0.287 0.810 0.792
5 0.790 0.892 0.923 0.873 1.000 0.312 0.983 0.793
6 0.334 0.345 0.327 0.287 0.312 1.000 0.300 0.324
7 0.765 0.878 0.928 0.810 0.983 0.300 1.000 0.772
8 0.698 0.784 0.795 0.792 0.793 0.324 0.772 1.000

Table 3: Covariance matrix of ETM+bands

Band Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8
1 251.56 270.72 356.92 185.91 428.07 39.45 378.72 160.30
2 270.72 318.37 438.27 224.88 544.00 45.87 488.80 202.52
3 356.92 438.27 639.52 307.39 797.80 61.56 732.09 291.20
4 185.91 224.88 307.39 210.56 432.90 30.94 366.88 166.54
5 428.07 544.00 797.80 432.90 1168.43 79.38 1047.95 392.79
6 39.45 45.87 61.56 30.94 79.38 55.37 69.77 34.96
7 378.72 488.80 732.09 366.88 1047.95 69.77 973.43 348.86
8 160.30 202.52 291.20 166.54 392.79 34.96 348.86 209.83

CORRELATION OF ETM+ BNADS

1.2
band 1
1
band 2
0.8 band 3
band 4
0.6
band 5
0.4 band 6
band 7
0.2
band 8
0
Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 Band 5 Band 6 Band 7 Band 8

Bnads

Fig. 2: Correlation between ETM+bands

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 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008

1200

1000 1

800 2
3
600 4
5
400
6
200 7
8
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Bnads No.

Fig. 3: Variance between ETM+bands

a b c

Fig. 4: OIF of ETM+(a) VNIR, (b) VNIR+SWIR and (c) VNIR+TIR

and low variance so that they showed low value of OIF.
Band of TIR (6) has high correlation and low variance
so when it is combined with the other bands it raises the
OIF value [11].
VNIR: VNIR of ETM+consists of bands 1, 2 and 3.
They only produce only one independent
combination with OIF value 20.94 and rank No. 52
rank (Table 1). These bands are highly correlated to
each other and have low variance so they showed
quite low value of OIF (Table 2, 3 and Fig. 2, 3). In this
combination 3-2-1 as Red Green Blue respectively,
it is easy to discriminate between the basement
87
rocks and other rocks. Basement rocks appeared as
deep blue colour, limestone and granitic rocks
appeared as white so that it is very difficult to
discriminate between them. Akbra Shale is easy to
discriminate because; it appeared as very dark
blue colour and Kohlan sandstones appeared as
yellow. Vegetation cover appeared as dark green
colour (Fig. 4a).
SWIR and TIR: SWIR bands 5, 7 of ETM+are not
enough to make independent band colour combination.
Band 6 of TIR is also not enough to make independent
combination same as SWIR bands.
 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008
a b
Fig. 5: OIF of ETM+(a) SWIR+TIR, (b) VNIR+SWIR+TIR (c) VNIR+Panchromatic
VNIR+SWIR: Combining of VNIR and SWIR bands
of ETM+ (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7) results in 16 band colour
combinations. The combination of bands 7-5-1 has the
highest value of OIF in this group which is 32.02 with
rank No. 14 (Table 1). In this combination quartz
biotite schist, serpentinite, metagabbro are showed as
deep blue. It is difficult to discriminate between Akbar
shale and metavolcano-sedimentary rocks because both
appeared in the same colour. Limestone and granite
showed as white colour. Kohlan Sandstones represented
by yellow colour. Metavolcanic rocks appeared as
yellow colour. Vegetation cover showing as black
colour. Structural aspects are very clear in this
combination comparing with the VNIR combination
(Fig. 4b).
VNIR+TIR: Combining of VNIR and TIR bands (1, 2,
3, 4 and 6) of ETM+results in 6 R-G-B colour
combinations. The combination 6-4-3 has the highest
value of OIF 32.55 with rank No. 13 (Table 1). This
combination with the different arrangement is useful for
discriminating sedimentary and basement rocks. Kohlan
sandstone rocks are showed deep greenish blue colour
and Amran limestone as light greenish blue colour.
Granitic rocks are shown as white to light blue colour.
This band combination is very useful for the
discrimination between granite and limestone rocks
comparing with the previous combinations. Also
discrimination between Kohlan sandstone and Amran
limestone is possible. In this combination there is no
difference between basement rocks of the study area
88
c
(Metavolcano-sedimentary and metavolcanic) where all
of these rocks appeared in pink colour. Geological
structures were not that much clear to be identifed it in
this combination (Fig. 4c).
SWIR+TIR: Combining of SWIR and TIR bands
(7, 6, 5) of ETM+results in an only one colour
combination with the highest value of OIF of all bands
which is 45.65 and ranks as the first one (Table 1). The
boundaries between rock units are very clear and the
discrimination between the sedimentary and the
basement rocks is very useful in this combination.
Metavolcanic rocks which are more abundant on
western Sharis are shown in with reddish green colour.
Metavolcano-sedimentary are shown in green colour.
Granitic rocks appeared in light pink colour and
sedimentary rocks are represented by the pink colour.
Vegetation cover is shown as deep green colour
(Fig. 5a).
VNIR+SWIR+TIR: Combining of VNIR, SWIR and
TIR bans (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) of ETM+data results in
8 R-G-B colour combinations. The combination of 6-5-
3 has the highest value of OIF which is 42.83 with rank
No. 2 (Table 1). The correlations between bands
composing this group are quite low and bands have
high variance so that they show high value of OIF
(Table 2, 3 and Fig. 2, 3). Amran limestone rocks
appeared as greenish blue and Kohlan sandstone as
deep greenish blue. Metavolcano-sedimentary appeared
as deep pink colour and metavolcanic rocks as light
 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008
a b
Fig. 6: OIF of ETM+(a) SWIR+Panchromatic (b) VNIR+SWIR+Panchrromatic (c) VNIR+TIR+Pancromatic
Fig. 7: OIF of ETM+SWIR+TIR+Panchromatic
pink. This means it is easy to discriminate between
them. Akbra shale is shown as red and vegetation cover
as deep green colour (Fig. 5b).
VNIR+Panchromatic: Combining the VNIR and
panchromatic bands of ETM+data as R-G-B results in 6
combinations. The Combination 8-3-1 has the highest
value of OIF in this group which is 23.35 with the rank
No. 47. Adding panchromatic band enhanced the
resolution of VNIR and improved the ability of
89
c
interpretation of geology of the study area. In this
combination it is easy to discriminate Akbar shale from
the other rock units; because it appears in blue colour.
Metavolcano-sedimentary rocks were in deep blue and
the metavolcanic in bluish brown colour, that mean the
discrimination between them is possible in this
combination. Kohlan sandstone appeared as yellowish
green while both Amran limestone and granitic rocks
appeared in yellowish white so that it is difficult to
discriminate between them. Vegetation showed as red
colour (Fig. 5c).
SWIR+Panchromatic: Combining of SWIR and
panchromatic bands of ETM+as RGB result in one
colour combination 8-7-5 with OIF value (31.35) and
rank No. 16. Discrimination between basement rocks is
very clear in this combination. Also altered rocks are
very clear and appeared in brown coloure.
Metavolcanic appeared in greenish blue colour.
Dolomaitic limestone which exist in north east of
Wadi Sharis is represented by deep green
colour. Amran limestone rocks were shown in white
colour and granitic rocks in bright white colour. In this
colour combination Akbra shale is not clear. Vegetation
cover is very clear and appeared with in red
colour (Fig. 6a).
VNIR+SWIR+Panchromatic: Combining of VNIR,
SWIR and panchromatic bands (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8) of
ETM+as R-G-B results in 8 colour combinations. The
combination 8-5-3 shows the highest value of OIF in
this group which is 29.45 with rank No. 21 (Table 1).
The highest value of OIF is due to the combining of the
panchromatic band within the different bands of VNIR
 Am-Euras. J. Sci. Res., 3 (1): 84-91, 2008
and SWIR. In this combination the lithological
structures are clear and the boundaries between
different rock units are also very clear. We can
discriminate all type of rock units; metavolcanic
appeared in light green colour. Metavolcano-
sedimentary rocks which consist of graphite schist, talc-
chlorite schist, quartz biotite schist and serpentinite
appeared in brownish pink colour. Vegetation cover in
this compensation showed as red colour. Akbar shale
showed deep brown colour and easy to discriminate it
from the other rock units. In this combination
discrimination between sedimentary rocks (Amran
limestone and Kohlan sandstone) is very easy. Massive
sulfides which are concentrated in the metavolcano-
sedimentary rocks eastern of Wadi Sharis appeared as
white colour (Fig. 6b).
VNIR+TIR+Panchromatic: Combining of VNIR, TIR
and panchromatic bands (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8) of ETM+as
R-G-B results in 4 combinations. The Combination 8-6-
3 bands as R-G-B, respectively has the highest value of
OIF 32.64 with rank No. 12. This combination shows
high value of OIF due to the low correlation and highest
variance between bands (Table 2, 3 and Fig. 2, 3).
Adding panchromatic band enhanced the resolution of
VNIR 30 m and TIR 60 m. In this combination we can
see only two types of rocks. Basement rocks are
represented by green colour and sedimentary rocks in
pink to blue. Akbra shale is not clear in this
combination. Vegetation cover is very clear and it
showed red colour (Fig. 6c).
SWIR+TIR+Panchromatic: Combining of SWIR,
TIR and panchromatic bands (5, 7, 6 and 8) of ETM+as
R-G-B results in 2 colour combinations. The band
combination 6-8-5 has the highest value of OIF 39.25
with rank No. 5. The highest value is due to the low
correlation and highest variance between bands (Table
2, 3 and Fig. 2, 3). Adding the panchromatic enhanced
the resolution of SWIR and TIR bands.
Discrimination between basement rocks is easier
in this combination, where metavolcanic are
represented in reddish pink and metavolcano-
sedimentary in reddish to brown colour. Also altered
rocks are represented with the reddish colour and
massive sulfides showed by blue colour. Granitic
rocks are shown in light blue and sedimentary rocks
are represented by blue colour. That means
discrimination between sedimentary rocks in this
combination is not possible. Vegetation cover is
represented by green colour and the structural features
are very clear (Fig. 7).
90
CONCLUSION
Using of OIF technique for evaluating the bands of
ETM+data simplified the selection of suitable bands for
discriminating the different rock units. It also reduces
the time of selection. Adding the panchromatic band 15
m resolution of ETM+to the VNIR, SWIR and TIR
enhanced their resolution and also facilitated for
geological interpretations.
Application of the OIF technique to all bands of
ETM+data resulted in 56 combinations. Based on the
results obtained from OIF, the combination 5, 6 and 7
shows the highest value of OIF with the first rank. This
band combination has the most information with the
least amount of duplication so that the boundaries
between rock units and other geological features are
very clear. The highest ranks of different combinations
of ETM+are associated with the high total of variance
and the low total of correlation coefficient between the
bands. Based on the different analyses of combinations,
the OIF technique is very useful for identifying,
discriminating the different rock units and other
geological features.
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