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Multiplatform Remote Sensing Techniques for Active Tectonics, Seismotectonics, and Volcanic Hazard Assessment (Second Edition)

A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Remote Sensing in Geology, Geomorphology and Hydrology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 7772

Editors

Dr. Daniele Cirillo

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Structural Geology, 3D Digital Cartography and Geomatics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2. CRUST Centro InteR, Universitario per L’analisi Sismotettonica Tridimensionale, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: 3D geological model building; seismotectonics; seismic hazard; earthquake geology; active tectonics, structural geology, remote sensing; UAV photogrammetry in RTK/PPK; GNSS data analyses; field digital-geological mapping; GIS-data processing; sedimentary geology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Pietro Tizzani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Research Council (CNR)—IREA, Via Diocleziano 328, Napoli, Italy
Interests: geophysics; volcanology; geodynamic; remote sensing; SAR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Francesco Brozzetti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Structural Geology, 3D Digital Cartography and Geomatics, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2. CRUST Centro InteRUniversitario per L’analisi Sismotettonica Tridimensionale, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Interests: earthquake rupture process; tectonic geomorphology; structural geological analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of remote sensing technologies and the possibility of reconstructing high-resolution ground models enable researchers to understand and monitor, with unprecedented precision, active deformations, seismogenic faults, and local- and regional-scale tectonic and volcanic processes, with obvious repercussions on the assessment of natural risks of endogenous origin.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect cutting-edge research that uses the most advanced techniques of remote sensing, such as GNSS, InSAR, LiDAR, GPR, DEM, and UAV DEMs, integrated by GIS and geomatic approaches, for expanding knowledge on active deformations, seismotectonics, and present volcanic processes. The goals of this Special Issue include the following:

  • Explore several remote sensing techniques to monitor crustal deformations caused by tectonic activities;
  • Collect case studies demonstrating the effectiveness of remote sensing in seismic hazard assessment and prediction;
  • Examine challenges and prospectives of integrating remote sensing into seismic monitoring systems and emergency management;
  • Investigate how the application of GNSS, InSAR, LiDAR, GPR, magnetometry, and other remote sensing techniques contribute to the identification and characterization of active and seismogenic faults and volcano-related deformation;
  • Explore the integration of GIS and geomatic tools with remote sensing for seismic hazard and tectonic process mapping;
  • Provide insights into ground deformation modeling and 3D modeling techniques for geophysical applications.

This Special Issue will showcase the work of researchers, geologists, volcanologists, geophysicists, seismologists, and remote sensing experts interested in the application of advanced technologies in active tectonics, seismotectonics, and volcanism-related deformation.

Dr. Daniele Cirillo
Dr. Pietro Tizzani
Dr. Francesco Brozzetti
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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

  • tectonic processes
  • earthquakes
  • seismogenic faults and seismic source
  • ground deformation modelling
  • geophysical application
  • seismic hazard
  • volcanic hazard
  • volcano deformation
  • optical IR volcano analysis
  • 3D modelling
  • GNSS
  • InSAR
  • GIS and geomatic approaches
  • DEM
  • UAV DEMs
  • LiDAR
  • GPR
  • geological survey
  • digital field survey

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 68521 KB  
Article
Pseudo 3-D GPR and 2-D ERT Study to Reveal Subtle Tectonic Deformations of a Strike-Slip Raša Fault (Dinaric Fault System, W Slovenia) in Fluvial and Karstic Environments
by Lovro Rupar, Petra Jamšek Rupnik, Marjana Zajc and Andrej Gosar
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(15), 2561; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18152561 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 273
Abstract
The Raša Fault is a prominent seismically active strike-slip fault within the Dinaric Fault System in SW Slovenia, seismotectonically estimated to be capable of producing earthquakes up to Mw = 7.4. Since the surface exposure of fault-related markers is discontinuous, and the near-surface [...] Read more.
The Raša Fault is a prominent seismically active strike-slip fault within the Dinaric Fault System in SW Slovenia, seismotectonically estimated to be capable of producing earthquakes up to Mw = 7.4. Since the surface exposure of fault-related markers is discontinuous, and the near-surface expression of deformation is poorly constrained, there is a need to improve the detection of fault-related features in complex sedimentary environments. In such settings, signal attenuation, complex stratigraphy, and irregular fault-zone geometries often obscure subtle deformation features, limiting the interpretability of standard 2-D geophysical profiles. A pseudo 3-D Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, along with complementary Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys and reprocessing of LiDAR (light detection and ranging) data to obtain high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), was conducted in selected environments dominated by low-resistivity karstic deposits and highly heterogeneous fluvial sediments to assess and improve the capability to detect and characterize subtle shallow deformations associated with the Raša Fault. Tectonic geomorphological mapping facilitated the recognition of potentially active fault traces and the identification of Quaternary sedimentary and erosional features, where recent deformations are usually preserved and can be dated in further paleoseismological investigations. The analysis of dense GPR data and complementary ERT profiles enabled us to clearly image the fault deformation pattern and obtain quantitative information about the subsurface, showing details of faulting and related deformation structures not evident at the surface. Furthermore, it enabled the detection of fault zone complexity, revealing it as an irregular and laterally changing area with sediment infillings, rather than a single vertical discontinuity. The complexity of faulting in the near surface depends on many factors, including the competence and age of the faulted material, as well as the local geomorphology. This study has demonstrated the applicability of pseudo 3-D GPR surveying, combined with ERT profiles, for subsurface mapping of active strike-slip faults in karstic and fluvial sedimentary environments. The methodology can be recommended in particular for rapid and cost-effective investigation of sites with subtle surface evidence of active faulting in order to determine near-surface fault splaying. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiplatform Remote Sensing Techniques for Active Tectonics, Seismotectonics, and Volcanic Hazard Assessment (Second Edition))
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26 pages, 5956 KB  
Article
A Sequential Cooperative Inversion Framework of DC Resistivity and Frequency-Domain Electromagnetic Data to Enhance Subsurface Imaging in Geoscience and Engineering
by Ramin Varfinezhad, Saeed Parnow, Francois Daniel Fourie and Fabio Tosti
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(9), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18091404 - 1 May 2026
Viewed by 969
Abstract
The characterisation of subsurface electrical resistivity is a fundamental requirement for geoscientific and engineering applications, including groundwater exploration and structural assessments. This study examines the sequential cooperative inversion of direct current resistivity and frequency-domain electromagnetic data and compares the results to the inverse [...] Read more.
The characterisation of subsurface electrical resistivity is a fundamental requirement for geoscientific and engineering applications, including groundwater exploration and structural assessments. This study examines the sequential cooperative inversion of direct current resistivity and frequency-domain electromagnetic data and compares the results to the inverse models obtained from separate (individual) inversions of the datasets. The proposed cooperative framework is applied to both synthetic datasets generated through forward modelling and field data acquired at the Morgenzon Farm site, South Africa, to delineate a dolerite dyke of hydrogeological significance. Individual inversions identified distinct features but exhibit limitations: direct current resistivity highlights a two-layered medium with minor anomalies, while frequency-domain electromagnetic data identify a resistive anomaly. In contrast, the sequential cooperative inversion approach, which uses the output of one dataset to constrain the other, provides improved subsurface imaging results, reduces ambiguity, and enables the integration of complementary information from both methods. The results indicate that resistivity models constrained by inverse frequency-domain electromagnetic data provide improved representation of subsurface geometry and amplitude compared to individual approaches. These findings support the use of a non-destructive testing approach for improved subsurface imaging, facilitating better-informed decision-making in infrastructure projects and resource management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiplatform Remote Sensing Techniques for Active Tectonics, Seismotectonics, and Volcanic Hazard Assessment (Second Edition))
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21 pages, 3859 KB  
Article
Low-Frequency Ground Penetrating Radar for Active Fault Characterization: Insights from the Southern Apennines (Italy)
by Nicola Angelo Famiglietti, Gaetano Memmolo, Antonino Memmolo, Robert Migliazza, Nicola Gagliarde, Daniela Di Bucci, Daniele Cheloni, Annamaria Vicari and Bruno Massa
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(21), 3631; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17213631 - 3 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2756
Abstract
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a powerful tool for imaging shallow stratigraphic and structural features. This study shows that it is particularly effective also in detecting near-surface evidence of active faulting. In the Southern Apennines (Italy), one of the most seismically active regions [...] Read more.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a powerful tool for imaging shallow stratigraphic and structural features. This study shows that it is particularly effective also in detecting near-surface evidence of active faulting. In the Southern Apennines (Italy), one of the most seismically active regions of the Mediterranean area, the shallow expression of active faults is often poorly constrained due to limited or ambiguous surface evidence. Low-frequency GPR profiles were acquired in the Calore River Valley (Campania Region), an area historically affected by large earthquakes and characterized by debated seismogenic sources. The surveys employed multiple antenna frequencies (30, 60, and 80 MHz) and both horizontal and vertical acquisition geometries, enabling penetration depths ranging from ~5 m to ~50 m. The acquired GPR profiles, integrated with high-precision georeferencing, were able to reveal the presence of shallow steeply dipping active normal faults striking E–W to ENE–WSW, here named the Postiglione Fault System. Therefore, this study highlights the methodological potential of low-frequency GPR for investigating active faults in carbonate substratum and fine-to-coarse-grained sedimentary units and thus contributing to refining the seismotectonic framework and improving seismic hazard assessment of seismically active areas such as the Southern Apennines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiplatform Remote Sensing Techniques for Active Tectonics, Seismotectonics, and Volcanic Hazard Assessment (Second Edition))
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36 pages, 51143 KB  
Article
UAV-PPK Photogrammetry, GIS, and Soil Analysis to Estimate Long-Term Slip Rates on Active Faults in a Seismic Gap of Northern Calabria (Southern Italy)
by Daniele Cirillo, Anna Chiara Tangari, Fabio Scarciglia, Giusy Lavecchia and Francesco Brozzetti
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(19), 3366; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17193366 - 5 Oct 2025
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2968
Abstract
The study of faults in seismic gap areas is essential for assessing the potential for future seismic activity and developing strategies to mitigate its impact. In this research, we employed a combination of geomorphological analysis, aerophotogrammetry, high-resolution topography, and soil analysis to estimate [...] Read more.
The study of faults in seismic gap areas is essential for assessing the potential for future seismic activity and developing strategies to mitigate its impact. In this research, we employed a combination of geomorphological analysis, aerophotogrammetry, high-resolution topography, and soil analysis to estimate the age of tectonically exposed fault surfaces in a seismic gap area. Our focus was on the Piano delle Rose Fault in the northern Calabria region, (southern Italy), which is a significant regional tectonic structure associated with seismic hazards. We conducted a field survey to carry out structural and pedological observations and collect soil samples from the fault surface. These samples were analyzed to estimate the fault’s age based on their features and degree of pedogenic development. Additionally, we used high-resolution topography and aerophotogrammetry to create a detailed 3D model of the fault surface, allowing us to identify features such as fault scarps and offsets. Our results indicate recent activity on the fault surface, suggesting that the Piano delle Rose Fault may pose a significant seismic hazard. Soil analysis suggests that the onset of the fault surface is relatively young, estimated in an interval time from 450,000 to ~ 300,000 years old. Considering these age constraints, the long-term slip rates are estimated to range between ~0.12 mm/yr and ~0.33 mm/yr, which are values comparable with those of many other well-known active faults of the Apennines extensional belt. Analyses of key fault exposures document cumulative displacements up to 21 m. These values yield long-term slip rates ranging from ~0.2 mm/yr (100,000 years) to ~1.0 mm/yr (~20,000 years LGM), indicating persistent Late Quaternary activity. A second exposure records ~0.6 m of displacement in very young soils, confirming surface faulting during recent times and suggesting that the fault is potentially capable of generating ground-rupturing earthquakes. High-resolution topography and aerophotogrammetry analyses show evidence of ongoing tectonic deformation, indicating that the area is susceptible to future seismic activity and corresponding risk. Our study highlights the importance of integrating multiple techniques for examining fault surfaces in seismic gap areas. By combining geomorphological analysis, aerophotogrammetry, high-resolution topography, and soil analysis, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure and behavior of faults. This approach can help assess the potential for future seismic activity and develop strategies for mitigating its impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multiplatform Remote Sensing Techniques for Active Tectonics, Seismotectonics, and Volcanic Hazard Assessment (Second Edition))
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