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“REMOTE SENSING”— AN EVALUATION OF ITS IMPACT ON EARTH SCIENCE—*
- Source: Geophysical Prospecting, Volume 20, Issue 1, Apr 1972, p. 142 - 154
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- 27 Apr 2006
Abstract
“Remote sensing” techniques have been used for many years as an exploration tool; broadly speaking, any method using sensors not directly connected to the earth's surface falls into this group.
It is preferable, however, to use the term solely with reference to a number of new sensors which have recently become available to earth scientists for the detection of various radiations of the electromagnetic spectrum in the wave length range from 0.1 micron (UV) to some centimeters including the visible and infrared regions.
Radiations artificially induced in the earth (active sensing) or spontaneous radiations (passive sensing) can be detected. Some of the bands investigated seem promising for application to geological surveys, especially using sensors on aircraft and satellites, which allow synoptic and large scale investigations.
A brief account is given of the results already achieved and of future developments such as the ERTS and manned satellite (post Apollo) “earth observation” programmes.
The potential role of Europe in the field is discussed.
Details are given of some applications of thermal I.R. imagery to geological and vulcanological problems, with special emphasis on the research carried out in Italy.