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Advances in Geological Hazard Characterization and Assessment: Merging Remote Sensing with Direct Surveys

A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Observation for Emergency Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4009

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Changbao Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: landslides; tectonics active tectonics engineering geology; slope stability; geotechnical engineering; earthquake; field geology; remote sensing
Prof. Dr. Michele Saroli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DICeM-Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale, Cassino, Italy
Interests: InSAR; earthquake; numerical simulation; geotechnical investigations; hydrogeology geomopgology; landslides
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Matteo Albano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Lazio, Roma, Italy
Interests: ground displacements; subsidence; earthquakes; numerical model; earthquake engineering
Dr. Ping Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Interests: remote sensing; landslide; satellite analysis; engineering geology; geo-hazards
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geological hazards, including landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, pose significant risks to human life and infrastructure worldwide. These events can lead to massive economic losses, societal disruption, and environmental degradation. As our understanding of these hazards evolves, the integration of advanced remote sensing technologies with traditional direct surveys has proven to be a game-changer. This combination enables more accurate characterization and assessment of geological hazards, offering a comprehensive understanding that is crucial for effective risk management and mitigation strategies. The advancements in remote sensing, such as UAV LiDAR, InSAR, and high-resolution satellite imagery, have revolutionized the way we monitor and analyze geological processes, especially in remote or inaccessible regions.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advancements in the integration of remote sensing and direct surveys for better characterization and assessment of geological hazards. By bringing together cutting-edge research and methodologies, this Special Issue seeks to showcase how these integrated approaches can enhance our understanding of geological processes and improve hazard prediction and mitigation efforts. This subject is highly relevant to the journal's scope as it addresses the intersection of technological innovation and practical application in the field of geosciences, promoting interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between remote sensing technology and field-based studies.

The Special Issue welcomes original research articles, case studies, review papers, and methodological advances that contribute to the field of geological hazard characterization and assessment. Suggested themes and article types include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Remote Sensing Technologies for Geological Hazards: development, automation, implementation, and validation of new remote sensing algorithms for geological hazard monitoring;
  • Geological Hazard Assessment Techniques: case studies demonstrating the integration of remote sensing data with direct surveys for geological hazard assessment;
  • Technological Innovations: innovations in UAV LiDAR, InSAR, and other remote sensing technologies that enhance the detection and analysis of geological hazards;
  • Data Integration and Modeling: methods for combining remote sensing data with ground-based observations and physical models to improve hazard characterization;
  • Applications in Hazard Mitigation: practical applications of integrated remote sensing and direct surveys in developing effective hazard mitigation strategies and policies;
  • Review Articles: comprehensive reviews on the latest advancements in integrating remote sensing and direct surveys for geological hazard assessment.

Prof. Dr. Changbao Guo
Prof. Dr. Michele Saroli
Dr. Matteo Albano
Dr. Ping Lu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • geological Hazards
  • remote sensing
  • UAV LiDAR
  • InSAR
  • high-resolution satellite imagery
  • direct Surveys
  • hazard assessment
  • risk management
  • data integration
  • hazard mitigation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 22788 KiB  
Article
Structural Deformation Style and Seismic Potential of the Maoyaba Fault, Southeastern Margin of the Tibet Plateau
by Xianbing Zhang, Ning Zhong, Xiao Yu, Guifang Yang and Haibing Li
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(7), 1288; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17071288 (registering DOI) - 4 Apr 2025
Abstract
The southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau represents one of the most seismically active zones in China and serves as a natural laboratory for investigating the uplift dynamics and lateral expansion mechanisms of the plateau. The Litang fault zone (LTFZ) lies within the [...] Read more.
The southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau represents one of the most seismically active zones in China and serves as a natural laboratory for investigating the uplift dynamics and lateral expansion mechanisms of the plateau. The Litang fault zone (LTFZ) lies within the northwest Sichuan sub-block on the southeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau, running almost parallel to the Xianshuihe fault zone and forming a V-shaped conjugate structure system with the Batang fault zone (BTFZ). The Maoyaba fault (MYBF) is a significant component of the northwestern part of the LTFZ, exhibiting activity in the late Quaternary. It triggered the ancient Luanshibao landslide and caused the Litang earthquake in 1729 AD, demonstrating intense seismic activity. Employing high-resolution remote sensing interpretation, field surveys, UAV photogrammetry, and UAV LiDAR, this study further examines the geometric distribution and kinematic properties of the MYBF, as well as paleoearthquake events recorded by the fault scarps. Combined with the geometric distribution and kinematic properties of the Hagala fault (HGLF) and Zimeihu fault (ZMHF), this study discusses the late Quaternary structural deformation style and seismic potential of the MYBF. The MYBF could produce earthquakes of approximately Mw 6.7 ± 0.3, with an average co-seismic slip of about 0.68 m and an average recurrence interval of strong earthquakes since the late Quaternary ranging from 0.9 to 1.1 ky. The likelihood of surface rupture earthquakes occurring in the near future is low; however, the expansion of the HGLF could induce moderate to strong earthquakes in the MYB area. The variation in the local tectonic stress field, which is influenced by the Litang–Batang V-shaped structure system and lithological differences, results in the formation of an extensional horsetail structure in the northwestern segment of the LTFZ. Both the HGLF and ZMHF remain active faults. Under the influence of nearly north–south tensile stress, these faults and the Litang–Batang V-shaped structure system collectively regulate the movement of regional crustal material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Geological Hazard Characterization and Assessment: Merging Remote Sensing with Direct Surveys)
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24 pages, 13219 KiB  
Article
Deformation Mechanisms and Rainfall Lag Effects of Deep-Seated Ancient Landslides in High-Mountain Regions: A Case Study of the Zhongxinrong Landslide, Upper Jinsha River
by Xue Li, Changbao Guo, Wenkai Chen, Peng Wei, Feng Jin, Yiqiu Yan and Gui Liu
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(4), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17040687 - 18 Feb 2025
Viewed by 444
Abstract
In high-mountain canyon regions, many settlements are located on large, deep-seated ancient landslides. The deformation characteristics, triggering mechanisms, and long-term developmental trends of these landslides significantly impact the safety and stability of these communities. However, the deformation mechanism under the influence of human [...] Read more.
In high-mountain canyon regions, many settlements are located on large, deep-seated ancient landslides. The deformation characteristics, triggering mechanisms, and long-term developmental trends of these landslides significantly impact the safety and stability of these communities. However, the deformation mechanism under the influence of human engineering activities remains unclear. SBAS-InSAR (Small Baseline Subset-Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology, UAV LiDAR, and field surveys were utilized in this study to identify a large ancient landslide in the upper Jinsha River Basin: the Zhongxinrong landslide. It extends approximately 1220 m in length, with a vertical displacement of around 552 m. The average thickness of the landslide mass ranges from 15.0 to 35.0 m, and the total volume is estimated to be between 1.48 × 107 m3 and 3.46 × 107 m3. The deformation of the Zhongxinrong landslide is primarily driven by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, leading to the formation of two distinct accumulation bodies, each exhibiting unique deformation characteristics. Accumulation Body II-1 is predominantly influenced by rainfall and road operation, resulting in significant deformation in the upper part of the landslide. In contrast, II-2 is mainly affected by rainfall and river erosion at the front edge, causing creeping tensile deformation at the toe. Detailed analysis reveals a marked acceleration in deformation following rainfall events when the cumulative rainfall over a 15-day period exceeds 120 mm. The lag time between peak rainfall and landslide displacement ranges from 2 to 28 days. Furthermore, deformation in the high-elevation accumulation area consistently exhibits a slower lag response compared to the tensile deformation area at lower zones. These findings highlight the importance of both natural and anthropogenic factors in landslide risk assessment and provide valuable insights for landslide prevention strategies, particularly in regions with similar geological and socio-environmental conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Geological Hazard Characterization and Assessment: Merging Remote Sensing with Direct Surveys)
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19 pages, 25570 KiB  
Article
Surface Multi-Hazard Effects of Underground Coal Mining in Mountainous Regions
by Xuwen Tian, Xin Yao, Zhenkai Zhou and Tao Tao
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17010122 - 2 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 767
Abstract
Underground coal mining induces surface subsidence, which in turn impacts the stability of slopes in mountainous regions. However, research that investigates the coupling relationship between surface subsidence in mountainous regions and the occurrence of multiple surface hazards is scarce. Taking a coal mine [...] Read more.
Underground coal mining induces surface subsidence, which in turn impacts the stability of slopes in mountainous regions. However, research that investigates the coupling relationship between surface subsidence in mountainous regions and the occurrence of multiple surface hazards is scarce. Taking a coal mine in southwestern China as a case study, a detailed catalog of the surface hazards in the study area was created based on multi-temporal satellite imagery interpretation and Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. Using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology and the logistic subsidence prediction method, this study investigated the evolution of surface subsidence induced by underground mining activities and its impact on the triggering of multiple surface hazards. We found that the study area experienced various types of surface hazards, including subsidence, landslides, debris flows, sinkholes, and ground fissures, due to the effects of underground mining activities. The InSAR monitoring results showed that the maximum subsidence at the back edge of the slope terrace was 98.2 mm, with the most severe deformation occurring at the mid-slope of the mountain, where the maximum subsidence reached 139.8 mm. The surface subsidence process followed an S-shaped curve, comprising the stages of initial subsidence, accelerated subsidence, and residual subsidence. Additionally, the subsidence continued even after coal mining operations concluded. Predictions derived from the logistic model indicate that the duration of residual surface subsidence in the study area is approximately 1 to 2 years. This study aimed to provide a scientific foundation for elucidating the temporal and spatial variation patterns of subsidence induced by underground coal mining in mountainous regions and its impact on the formation of multiple surface hazards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Geological Hazard Characterization and Assessment: Merging Remote Sensing with Direct Surveys)
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20 pages, 6931 KiB  
Article
Swarm Investigation of Ultra-Low-Frequency (ULF) Pulsation and Plasma Irregularity Signatures Potentially Associated with Geophysical Activity
by Georgios Balasis, Angelo De Santis, Constantinos Papadimitriou, Adamantia Zoe Boutsi, Gianfranco Cianchini, Omiros Giannakis, Stelios M. Potirakis and Mioara Mandea
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(18), 3506; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16183506 - 21 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1796
Abstract
Launched on 22 November 2013, Swarm is the fourth in a series of pioneering Earth Explorer missions and also the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) first constellation to advance our understanding of the Earth’s magnetic field and the near-Earth electromagnetic environment. Swarm provides an [...] Read more.
Launched on 22 November 2013, Swarm is the fourth in a series of pioneering Earth Explorer missions and also the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) first constellation to advance our understanding of the Earth’s magnetic field and the near-Earth electromagnetic environment. Swarm provides an ideal platform in the topside ionosphere for observing ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves, as well as equatorial spread-F (ESF) events or plasma bubbles, and, thus, offers an excellent opportunity for space weather studies. For this purpose, a specialized time–frequency analysis (TFA) toolbox has been developed for deriving continuous pulsations (Pc), namely Pc1 (0.2–5 Hz) and Pc3 (22–100 mHz), as well as ionospheric plasma irregularity distribution maps. In this methodological paper, we focus on the ULF pulsation and ESF activity observed by Swarm satellites during a time interval centered around the occurrence of the 24 August 2016 Central Italy M6 earthquake. Due to the Swarm orbit’s proximity to the earthquake epicenter, i.e., a few hours before the earthquake occurred, data from the mission may offer a variety of interesting observations around the time of the earthquake event. These observations could be associated with the occurrence of this geophysical event. Most notably, we observed an electron density perturbation occurring 6 h prior to the earthquake. This perturbation was detected when the satellites were flying above Italy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Geological Hazard Characterization and Assessment: Merging Remote Sensing with Direct Surveys)
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