Unmanned Aerial Systems for Geophysical Mapping and Monitoring

Dear Colleagues,

The use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs) in geophysical investigations represents a rapidly growing research topic. By combining the use of lightweight, easy-to-fly and affordable airborne platforms with compact geophysical sensors, UASs enable efficient, high-resolution mapping of subsurface in areas where traditional ground-based surveys are less efficient, more risky or time consuming. Over the past decade, advances in sensor miniaturization, autonomous flight control, and data processing have significantly expanded the capabilities of drone-based geophysics. These systems now play a pivotal role in mineral exploration, natural hazard assessment and monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, environmental science and object detection. Given the global demand for safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective geoscience practices, this research area is gaining increasing importance.

This Special Issue aims to bring together innovative research and applied studies showcasing the integration of UAS platforms with geophysical methods for mapping and monitoring purposes. The topic aligns closely with the scope of MDPI’s journal Drones, highlighting advances in aerial data acquisition technologies, sensor integration, navigation strategies and environmental applications. By focusing on geophysical use cases, this Issue will strengthen the journal’s commitment to interdisciplinary drone research in Earth and environmental sciences.

We welcome original research articles, technical notes, and case studies related to UAS-based geophysical systems. Topics may include (but are not limited to) UAS-borne magnetometry, GPR, electromagnetic induction, gravimetry, radiometrics, radar interferometry, seismic and hybrid multi-sensor platforms; system design and payload optimization; data processing and inversion methods tailored to UAS data; operational and regulatory challenges; and novel applications in challenging or sensitive environments. Review articles providing synthesis and outlook on UAS-based geophysics are also encouraged.

Dr. Bastien Dupuy
Dr. Filippo Accomando
Dr. Piyoosh Jaysaval
Dr. Yuxin Wu
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. Drones is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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.

• earth science
• geophysics
• magnetics
• electromagnetic
• gravity
• GPR
• hyperspectral
• radiometrics
• data processing
• miniaturized sensors
• sensor integration
• UAS payload optimization
• subsurface mapping