Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology - Earth Sciences Series, 1-4

Remote Sensing New remote sensing technologies can now provide very high spatial resolution imagery for producing detailed topographic maps and DEM. Very-high-precision measurements of ground surface and infrastructure deformations can also be obtained. Spaceborne radar sensors offer great potential for multi-scale (from regional scale to site specific) deformation monitoring because of wide-area coverage and regular schedule with increasing revisit frequency, while maintaining high spatial resolution and millimeter precision of measurement. The high resolutions of the new-generation satellite sensors imply now the possibility to derive very detailed information that fits the requirements of engineers and is relevant to many engineering geology investigations, both in research and practice. It is recognized that engineering geologists generally have limited knowledge of sophisticated remote sensing technologies. Therefore, a greater opening of the profession to closer multidisciplinary collaborations is needed to fully benefit from the enormous quantities of information the innovative remote sensing can now produce. New collaborations have to be established, particularly with physicists and electronic engineers specializing in advanced image/signal processing and big data management, and geologists with expertise in interpretation of digital remotely sensed data.