Enhancing Geological Remote Sensing with Cutting-Edge Sensor Technologies

Dear Colleagues,

Examining geological sciences via remote sensing (RS) unveils a transformative approach to comprehending the Earth's dynamic processes. RS encompasses satellite imagery, airborne and UAV-based sensors, and in situ data, offering unparalleled capabilities to observe the Earth's surface and near-subsurface with an unprecedented level of detail. The synthesis of geological sciences and RS not only advances our fundamental understanding of the Earth's geological processes but also has practical implications for resource exploration, environmental monitoring, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation strategies.

Recent advancements in sensor technology have enabled data to be captured in the form of images with a higher spatial and spectral resolution. Hyperspectral imaging has rapidly developed over the past decade, and modern sensor technologies can cover large areas with exceptional spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions. Nowadays, hyperspectral sensors placed on various platforms capture a wide range of detailed spectral information, enabling the precise identification and analysis of geological features.

Similarly, technologies based on the use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images have improved significantly in the last decade due to the growing availability of vast amounts of data collected by multiple-satellite sensors operating at different frequency bands, with complementary viewing angles and polarization and acquisition modes.

The papers contributing to this Special Issue should reflect, but not necessarily be limited to, some of the following prominent developments in this field:

• Hyperspectral imaging: Hyperspectral sensors placed on various platforms (UAV, aerial, orbital) capture a wide range of detailed spectral information, enabling the precise identification and analysis of geological features. This technology is instrumental in mapping rock formations and geological mapping, including mineral identification. Additionally, this field is progressing rapidly with the availability of free hyperspectral satellite sensors such as PRISMA, EnMAP, and EMIT.
• The new generation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR): SAR utilizes microwave signals to penetrate through clouds and capture high-resolution images of the Earth's surface. It has proven valuable in monitoring ground movements, detecting subsurface structures, and mapping geological features, such as faults and formations.
• Novel approaches enabling the use of data acquired by different sensors and platforms (UAV, aerial, orbital), including machine learning and artificial intelligence data processing: Leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence, along with the available data acquired using different platforms, plays a crucial role in processing vast remote sensing datasets and extracting valuable geological information of various origins. These technologies can help to automate image classification, mineral mapping, and the identification of geological structures and geochemical processes, significantly saving time and improving accuracy.

In addition to the core themes, this Special Issue welcomes contributions on related applications including, but not limited to, planetary geology, geoarchaeology, permafrost studies, soil erosion assessment, soil characterization, and the use of remote sensing in underground or subsurface feature detection.

Suggested article types: Articles / Reviews / Technical Notes.

Dr. Veronika Kopačková-Strandová
Dr. Pierre Lacroix
Dr. Kati Laakso
Dr. Teodosio Lacava
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.

• remote sensing
• geological applications
• hyperspectral imaging
• synthetic aperture radar
• cutting-edge sensor innovations