Geological Remote Sensing

Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Acdemic Press, United Kingdom
Abstract
The field of remote sensing has recently witnessed major innovations that have been translated to Earth science applications. Before they can be used, remote sensing data must be corrected for effects originating from the sensors, the platforms on which they are deployed, atmospheric characteristics, and geometrical constraints. When the data are calibrated and geolocated, they can be used either as physical quantities, such as reflectance and temperatures, or as images. The recent development of new sensors has permitted the remote measurement of a large area of the Earth's surface, with direct geological applications. Additionally, advances in machine vision, machine learning and artificial intelligence, combined with an unprecedented increase in computer processing power, have led to innovative remote sensing data processing techniques that simplify the handling of large amounts of complex data. As a consequence, it is now possible to characterize the geological settings of large areas with precision and even their changes through time. Remote sensing data are now directly integrated into modelling algorithms that describe surface and subsurface processes at different scales. Geological remote sensing currently encompasses multi temporal, multi-source and multi scale approaches. The retrieval of big data in disseminated archives, as well as (near) real time processing are the challenges that remain to be solved. These new applications in geology ensure cost efficient, safe, and rapid surveys and monitoring that not only benefit the research community but society at large.
Description
Keywords
Remote sensing, Electromagnetic (EM) radiation, Hypsometry, Hyperspectral imaging, Isobase, Multispectral imaging, Orthorectification, Radiance, Reflectance, Topography, Topographic corrections
Citation
Booysen, R., Gloaguen, R., Lorenz, S., Zimmermann, R., & Nex, P. A. M., Geological Remote Sensing, 2021. In: Alderton, David; Elias, Scott A. (eds.) Encyclopedia of Geology, 2nd edition, vol.[6], pp. 301-314. United Kingdom: Academic Press