USGS scientists Todd Hoefen (left) and John Meyer (right) make spectral measurements with a field portable spectrometer at a remote playa in Black Rock Desert, NV. These measurements are used to calibrate and validate data collected by imaging spectrometers (hyperspectral imagers) from aircraft and spacecraft.
Raymond Kokaly
Raymond Kokaly is an expert on the application of remote sensing and spectroscopy for vegetation and mineral characterization. His peer-reviewed publications on the use of spectroscopy include: quantifying biochemical content in leaf spectra, discriminating conifer species, examining post-fire surface cover, and characterizing the impact of oil contamination from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
His research has used multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing data from AVHRR, Landsat, Hyperion, AVIRIS, HyMap, and MODIS. Raymond created the PRISM software, a framework for archiving and analyzing spectroscopic data collected in the laboratory and the field and from remote sensing platforms. PRISM was applied to map surficial minerals across most of Afghanistan, covering more than 480,000 sq. km. an area about the size of the state of California.
Professional Experience
Research Geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1996–present
Education and Certifications
University of Colorado at Boulder, M.S. in Aerospace Engineering Sciences, 1993
Science and Products
Increasing data accessibility by adding existing datasets and capabilities to a cutting-edge visualization app to enable cross-community use
Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
Technical Assistance to Government of Greenland - Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
Development and Validation of Hyperspectral Imager for Field and Lab Scanning
USGS High Resolution Spectral Library
Physical and chemical data for dust deposited on Colorado Rocky Mountain snow cover during water year 2013 through water year 2016. Physical and chemical data for dust deposited on Colorado Rocky Mountain snow cover during water year 2013 through water year 2016.
Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California
Reflectance spectra collected August 21, 2022, at Black Rock Desert, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectroradiometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data Reflectance spectra collected August 21, 2022, at Black Rock Desert, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectroradiometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data
Reflectance spectra collected August 16, 2022, at Smith Creek Valley, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectrometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data Reflectance spectra collected August 16, 2022, at Smith Creek Valley, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectrometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data
HySpex by NEO VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384 imaging spectrometer radiance and reflectance data, with associated ASD FieldSpec® NG calibration data, collected at Cripple Creek Victor mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado, 2017 HySpex by NEO VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384 imaging spectrometer radiance and reflectance data, with associated ASD FieldSpec® NG calibration data, collected at Cripple Creek Victor mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado, 2017
Corescan Hyperspectral Core Imager, Mark III system data collected for the characterization of mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014-2016 Corescan Hyperspectral Core Imager, Mark III system data collected for the characterization of mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014-2016
Data for Dust deposited on snow cover in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, 2011-2016: Compositional variability bearing on snow-melt effects Data for Dust deposited on snow cover in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, 2011-2016: Compositional variability bearing on snow-melt effects
Imaging spectrometer reflectance data, mineral predominance map, and white mica wavelength position map, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska Imaging spectrometer reflectance data, mineral predominance map, and white mica wavelength position map, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska
Whole rock, soil, sediment, x-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analyses of samples from the Orange Hill-Bond Creek area, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska Whole rock, soil, sediment, x-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analyses of samples from the Orange Hill-Bond Creek area, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska
Airborne imaging spectrometer data collected for characterizing mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014 Airborne imaging spectrometer data collected for characterizing mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014
USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data

USGS scientists Todd Hoefen (left) and John Meyer (right) make spectral measurements with a field portable spectrometer at a remote playa in Black Rock Desert, NV. These measurements are used to calibrate and validate data collected by imaging spectrometers (hyperspectral imagers) from aircraft and spacecraft.
Unlocking ecological insights from sub-seasonal visible-to-shortwave infrared imaging spectroscopy: The SHIFT campaign Unlocking ecological insights from sub-seasonal visible-to-shortwave infrared imaging spectroscopy: The SHIFT campaign
Light absorbing particles deposited to snow cover across the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado Rocky Mountains, 2013-16: Interannual variations from multiple natural and anthropogenic sources Light absorbing particles deposited to snow cover across the Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado Rocky Mountains, 2013-16: Interannual variations from multiple natural and anthropogenic sources
The EnMAP spaceborne imaging spectroscopy mission: Initial scientific results two years after launch The EnMAP spaceborne imaging spectroscopy mission: Initial scientific results two years after launch
Microplastic and associated black particles from road-tire wear: Implications for radiative effects across the cryosphere and in the atmosphere Microplastic and associated black particles from road-tire wear: Implications for radiative effects across the cryosphere and in the atmosphere
Hyperspectral (VNIR-SWIR) analysis of roll front uranium host rocks and industrial minerals from Karnes and Live Oak Counties, Texas Coastal Plain Hyperspectral (VNIR-SWIR) analysis of roll front uranium host rocks and industrial minerals from Karnes and Live Oak Counties, Texas Coastal Plain
Calibration and validation for the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission concept: Recommendations for a multi-sensor system for imaging spectroscopy and thermal imagery Calibration and validation for the Surface Biology and Geology (SBG) mission concept: Recommendations for a multi-sensor system for imaging spectroscopy and thermal imagery
The EnMAP imaging spectroscopy mission towards operations The EnMAP imaging spectroscopy mission towards operations
Optimizing Landsat Next shortwave infrared bands for crop residue characterization Optimizing Landsat Next shortwave infrared bands for crop residue characterization
Microplastic particles in dust-on-snow, Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado Rocky Mountains, 2013–16 Microplastic particles in dust-on-snow, Upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado Rocky Mountains, 2013–16
Hyperspectral remote sensing of white mica: A review of imaging and point-based spectrometer studies for mineral resources, with spectrometer design considerations Hyperspectral remote sensing of white mica: A review of imaging and point-based spectrometer studies for mineral resources, with spectrometer design considerations
Multiscale hyperspectral imaging of hydrothermal alteration in Yellowstone National Park, USA Multiscale hyperspectral imaging of hydrothermal alteration in Yellowstone National Park, USA
Evaluation of SWIR crop residue bands for the Landsat Next mission Evaluation of SWIR crop residue bands for the Landsat Next mission
Processing Routines in IDL for Spectroscopic Measurements (PRISM) Processing Routines in IDL for Spectroscopic Measurements (PRISM)
View_SPECPR: Software for Plotting Spectra View_SPECPR: Software for Plotting Spectra
Science and Products
Increasing data accessibility by adding existing datasets and capabilities to a cutting-edge visualization app to enable cross-community use
Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
Technical Assistance to Government of Greenland - Hyperspectral Imaging of Critical Mineral Resources
Development and Validation of Hyperspectral Imager for Field and Lab Scanning
USGS High Resolution Spectral Library
Physical and chemical data for dust deposited on Colorado Rocky Mountain snow cover during water year 2013 through water year 2016. Physical and chemical data for dust deposited on Colorado Rocky Mountain snow cover during water year 2013 through water year 2016.
Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California
Reflectance spectra collected August 21, 2022, at Black Rock Desert, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectroradiometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data Reflectance spectra collected August 21, 2022, at Black Rock Desert, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectroradiometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data
Reflectance spectra collected August 16, 2022, at Smith Creek Valley, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectrometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data Reflectance spectra collected August 16, 2022, at Smith Creek Valley, Nevada, with an ASD FieldSpecⓇ 4 Hi-Res NG spectrometer for calibration/validation of imaging spectrometer data
HySpex by NEO VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384 imaging spectrometer radiance and reflectance data, with associated ASD FieldSpec® NG calibration data, collected at Cripple Creek Victor mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado, 2017 HySpex by NEO VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384 imaging spectrometer radiance and reflectance data, with associated ASD FieldSpec® NG calibration data, collected at Cripple Creek Victor mine, Cripple Creek, Colorado, 2017
Corescan Hyperspectral Core Imager, Mark III system data collected for the characterization of mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014-2016 Corescan Hyperspectral Core Imager, Mark III system data collected for the characterization of mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014-2016
Data for Dust deposited on snow cover in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, 2011-2016: Compositional variability bearing on snow-melt effects Data for Dust deposited on snow cover in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, 2011-2016: Compositional variability bearing on snow-melt effects
Imaging spectrometer reflectance data, mineral predominance map, and white mica wavelength position map, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska Imaging spectrometer reflectance data, mineral predominance map, and white mica wavelength position map, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska
Whole rock, soil, sediment, x-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analyses of samples from the Orange Hill-Bond Creek area, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska Whole rock, soil, sediment, x-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe analyses of samples from the Orange Hill-Bond Creek area, Nabesna Quadrangle, Alaska
Airborne imaging spectrometer data collected for characterizing mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014 Airborne imaging spectrometer data collected for characterizing mineral resources near Nabesna, Alaska, 2014
USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data USGS Spectral Library Version 7 Data

USGS scientists Todd Hoefen (left) and John Meyer (right) make spectral measurements with a field portable spectrometer at a remote playa in Black Rock Desert, NV. These measurements are used to calibrate and validate data collected by imaging spectrometers (hyperspectral imagers) from aircraft and spacecraft.
USGS scientists Todd Hoefen (left) and John Meyer (right) make spectral measurements with a field portable spectrometer at a remote playa in Black Rock Desert, NV. These measurements are used to calibrate and validate data collected by imaging spectrometers (hyperspectral imagers) from aircraft and spacecraft.