Earth Observations for Geohazards

• Main Author: Zhenhong Li (Ed.) (auth)
• Other Authors: Roberto Tomás (Ed.) (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2017
• Subjects: Environmental economics; LiDAR; InSAR; remote sensing; earthquake; UAV; landslide; land subsidence; earth observation; surface displacement; geohazards; deformation; optical; damage assessment
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

Earth Observations (EO) encompasses different types of sensors (e.g., SAR, LiDAR, Optical and multispectral) and platforms (e.g., satellites, aircraft, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and enables us to monitor and model geohazards over regions at different scales in which ground observations may not be possible due to physical and/or political constraints. EO can provide high spatial, temporal and spectral resolution, stereo-mapping and all-weather-imaging capabilities, but not by a single satellite at a time. Improved satellite and sensor technologies, increased frequency of satellite measurements, and easier access and interpretation of EO information have all contributed to the increased demand for satellite EO data. EO, combined with complementary terrestrial observations and with physical models, have been widely used to monitor geohazards, revolutionizing our understanding of how the Earth system works.