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Remote Sensing and Geodynamics

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: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 14354

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Earth Systems Analysis (ESA), Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Hengelosestraat 99, P.O. Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede, The Netherlands
Interests: earth sciences; geodynamics; subsurface processes; geological hazards; geophysics
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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, 00146 Roma, Italy
Interests: geodynamics; remote sensing; structural geology; computer processing of geoscience data

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Remote sensing provides significant contributions in understanding the geodynamic framework and processes acting on our planet as well as on the other bodies of the solar system.

This comes from the three main original advantages of remotely sensed imaging: synthetic scale information, temporal repeatability, and the variety of physical properties that can be recorded and analyzed either as images, profiles, spot data, and their combination. Their georeferenced format provides the possibility to compare and combine them, resulting in highly effective synergy studies.

The synthetic scale of observation allows grasping the regional scale geological processes cleaned from the local factors that often hide them at the outcrop scale. The change from the usual scale of observation provided the discovery of previously unknown and still debated new tectonic features linked to geodynamic evolution.

The repeatability of the observation allowed studying and understanding geodynamic process evolution, either evolving at geological time scale (e.g., GNSS data) or fast geological processes (e.g., radar interferometry) as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. The limit on the temporary scale resolution is only dependent on the more and more increasingly available platforms.

The wide variety of measured physical parameters offers the preparation of more complete geodynamic models, not limited to the e.m. scattering surface evidence. The joint information of magnetic, gravimetric, and HF radar imaging (to name a few) data deriving from the underground geology allowed in the last decade the preparation of reliable geodynamical models. Among the main discoveries, it is worth mentioning the presence of water on other planets, resulting from the combined observations of e.m. surface features coupled with HF radar imaging.

Nevertheless, the obtained results still represent a preliminary byte of what integrated remote sensing data can provide on geodynamics as well as on its role on climate change.

The task of this Special Issue is to present an up-to-date state-of-the-art reference volume. The purpose of it will be twofold: to provide reviews of the contribution in geodynamics from the several remote-sensing available sensors/platforms, and to present new, original, innovative, and stimulating approaches in its application to geodynamics.

We are waiting for your contribution!

Prof. Dr. Mark van der Meijde
Prof. Dr. Francesco Salvini
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Remote sensing
  • Geodynamics
  • Space geodesy
  • Potential fields
  • Neotectonics
  • Earthquake surface effects
  • Rifting processes
  • Intraplate strike–slip fracture zones
  • Volcanic activity

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 10736 KiB  
Article
Deformation of the Crust and Upper Mantle beneath the North China Craton and Its Adjacent Areas Constrained by Rayleigh Wave Phase Velocity and Azimuthal Anisotropy
by Xiaoming Xu, Dazhou Zhang, Xiang Huang and Xiaoman Cao
Remote Sens. 2022, 14(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14010110 - 28 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2360
Abstract
The North China Craton (NCC) has experienced strong tectonic deformation and lithospheric thinning since the Cenozoic. To better constrain the geodynamic processes and mechanisms of the lithospheric deformation, we used a linear damped least squares method to invert simultaneously Rayleigh wave phase velocity [...] Read more.
The North China Craton (NCC) has experienced strong tectonic deformation and lithospheric thinning since the Cenozoic. To better constrain the geodynamic processes and mechanisms of the lithospheric deformation, we used a linear damped least squares method to invert simultaneously Rayleigh wave phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy at periods of 10–80 s with teleseismic data recorded by 388 permanent stations in the NCC and its adjacent areas. The results reveal that the anomalies of Rayleigh wave phase velocity and azimuthal anisotropy are in good agreement with the tectonic domains in the study area. Low-phase velocities appear in the rift grabens and sedimentary basins at short periods. A rotation pattern of the fast axis direction of the Rayleigh wave together with a distinct low-velocity anomaly occurs around the Datong volcano. A NW–SE trending azimuthal anisotropy and a low-velocity anomaly at periods of 60–80 s are observed subparallel to the Zhangbo fault zone. The whole lithosphere domain of the Ordos block shows a high-phase velocity and counterclockwise rotated fast axis. The northeastern margin of the Tibetan plateau is dominated by a low-velocity and coherent NW–SE fast axis direction. We infer that the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate and eastward material escape of the Tibetan plateau mainly contribute to the deformation of the crust and upper mantle in the NCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing and Geodynamics)
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25 pages, 10716 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Seismic Deformation from Global Three-Decade GNSS Displacements: Implications for a Three-Dimensional Earth GNSS Velocity Field
by Yingying Ren, Lizhen Lian and Jiexian Wang
Remote Sens. 2021, 13(17), 3369; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13173369 - 25 Aug 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2421
Abstract
With the rapid development of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, the long-term accumulated GNSS observations of global reference stations have provided valuable data for geodesy and geodynamics studies since the 1990s. Acquiring the precise velocity of GNSS stations is very important for [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology, the long-term accumulated GNSS observations of global reference stations have provided valuable data for geodesy and geodynamics studies since the 1990s. Acquiring the precise velocity of GNSS stations is very important for the study of global plate movement, crustal deformation, etc. However, the seismic activities nearby some GNSS observation stations may seriously change the station’s motion trajectory. Therefore, our research was motivated to propose a method allowing for station seismic deformation, and apply it to construct an updated global GNSS velocity field. The main contributions of this work included the following. Firstly, we improved the GNSS data processing procedures and seismic data selection strategies to obtain GNSS coordinate time series with mm-level precision (3–5 and 6–8 mm in the horizontal and vertical, respectively) and information of each site impacted by seismic events, which provides necessary input data for further analysis. Secondly, an Integrated Time Series Method (ITSM) concerning the effect of seismic deformation was proposed to model the station’s nonlinear motion accurately. Distinguished with existing studies, all parameters including seismic relaxation time can be simultaneously estimated by ITSM, which improves the accuracy and reliability of GNSS station velocity significantly. Thirdly, to optimize the ITSM-based model, the influences of seismic relaxation time (a. 0.1 × true, b. 10 × true, c. true), parameterization mode (a. Offset + Velocity, b. Offset + Velocity + PSD, c. Offset + Velocity + PSD + Period), and the Post-Seismic Deformation (PSD) model (a. None, b. Exp, c. Log, d. Exp + Log) on results of GNSS time series analyzing were discussed. The results showed that the fitting accuracy of GNSS displacements was better than 5 mm and 10 mm in the horizontal and vertical, respectively. Finally, the global GNSS station velocity field (referred to as GGV2020 hereafter) was refined by ITSM using global GNSS observations and seismic data during 1990–2020. This not only helps interpret plate tectonic motion, establish and maintain a Dynamic Terrestrial Reference Frame (DTRF) but also contributes to better investigating geodynamic processes. GGV2020 results showed that the accuracy of global velocity was better than 1 mm/a, and the averages of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were 0.19 mm/a, 0.19 mm/a, and 0.33 mm/a in the north, east, and up direction, respectively. Besides, the RMSE obeys normal distribution. Compared with ITRF2014, there was a difference of about 1–2 mm/a between them due to differences in terms of observation span, processing model, and geodetic technology. Moreover, GGV2020 is expected to enrich and update the existing velocity field products to describe the characteristics of regional crustal movement in more detail, especially in Antarctica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing and Geodynamics)
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22 pages, 57160 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Crustal Movement and Deformation in Mainland China Based on CMONOC Baseline Time Series
by Jicang Wu, Xinyou Song, Weiwei Wu, Guojie Meng and Yingying Ren
Remote Sens. 2021, 13(13), 2481; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13132481 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2578
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a method for the analysis of tectonic movement and crustal deformation by using GNSS baseline length change rates or baseline linear strain rates. The method is applied to daily coordinate solutions of continuous GNSS stations of the Crustal [...] Read more.
In this paper, we propose a method for the analysis of tectonic movement and crustal deformation by using GNSS baseline length change rates or baseline linear strain rates. The method is applied to daily coordinate solutions of continuous GNSS stations of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC). The results show that: (a) The baseline linear strain rates are uneven in space, which is prominent in the Tianshan, Sichuan-Yunnan, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Yanjing areas, with a maximum value of 1 × 10−7 a−1, and about two orders smaller in the South China block, the Northeast block, and the inner area of the Tarim basin, where the average baseline linear strain rates are 1.471 × 10−9 a−1, 2.242 × 10−9 a−1, and 3.056 × 10−9 a−1, respectively; (b) Active crustal deformation and strong earthquakes in the Xinjiang area are mainly located in the north and south sides of the Tianshan block; the compression deformations both inside the Tarim block and in the southern Tianshan fault zone are all increasing from east to west, and the Tarim block is not a completely “rigid block”, with the shrinkage rate in the west part at about 1~2 mm/a; (c) The principal directions of crustal deformation in the Xinjiang, Tibet, and Sichuan-Yunnan regions are generally in the north—south compression and east—west extension, indicating that the collision and wedging between the Indian and Eurasian plates are still the main source of tectonic movements in mainland China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing and Geodynamics)
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17 pages, 3501 KiB  
Article
Victoria Land, Antarctica: An Improved Geodynamic Interpretation Based on the Strain Rate Field of the Current Crustal Motion and Moho Depth Model
by Antonio Zanutta, Monia Negusini, Luca Vittuari, Leonardo Martelli, Paola Cianfarra, Francesco Salvini, Francesco Mancini, Paolo Sterzai, Nicola Creati, Marco Dubbini and Alessandro Capra
Remote Sens. 2021, 13(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13010087 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3302
Abstract
In Antarctica, the severe climatic conditions and the thick ice sheet that covers the largest and most internal part of the continent make it particularly difficult to systematically carry out geophysical and geodetic observations on a continental scale. It prevents the comprehensive understanding [...] Read more.
In Antarctica, the severe climatic conditions and the thick ice sheet that covers the largest and most internal part of the continent make it particularly difficult to systematically carry out geophysical and geodetic observations on a continental scale. It prevents the comprehensive understanding of both the onshore and offshore geology as well as the relationship between the inner part of East Antarctica (EA) and the coastal sector of Victoria Land (VL). With the aim to reduce this gap, in this paper multiple geophysical dataset collected since the 1980s in Antarctica by Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA) were integrated with geodetic observations. In particular, the analyzed data includes: (i) Geodetic time series from Trans Antarctic Mountains DEFormation (TAMDEF), and Victoria Land Network for DEFormation control (VLNDEF) GNSS stations installed in Victoria Land; (ii) the integration of on-shore (ground points data and airborne) gravity measurements in Victoria Land and marine gravity surveys performed in the Ross Sea and the narrow strip of Southern Ocean facing the coasts of northern Victoria Land. Gravity data modelling has improved the knowledge of the Moho depth of VL and surrounding the offshore areas. By the integration of geodetic and gravitational (or gravity) potential results it was possible to better constrain/identify four geodynamic blocks characterized by homogeneous geophysical signature: the Southern Ocean to the N, the Ross Sea to the E, the Wilkes Basin to the W, and VL in between. The last block is characterized by a small but significant clockwise rotation relative to East Antarctica. The presence of a N-S to NNW-SSE 1-km step in the Moho in correspondence of the Rennick Geodynamic Belt confirms the existence of this crustal scale discontinuity, possibly representing the tectonic boundary between East Antarctica and the northern part of VL block, as previously proposed by some geological studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing and Geodynamics)
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14 pages, 6812 KiB  
Technical Note
Geomorphological and Spatial Characteristics of Underwater Volcanoes in the Easternmost Australian-Antarctic Ridge
by Hakkyum Choi, Seung-Sep Kim, Sung-Hyun Park and Hyoung Jun Kim
Remote Sens. 2021, 13(5), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13050997 - 5 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2582
Abstract
Underwater volcanoes and their linear distribution on the flanks of mid-ocean ridges are common submarine topographic structures at intermediate- and fast-spreading systems, where sufficient melt supplies are often available. Such magma sources beneath the seafloor located within a few kilometers of the corresponding [...] Read more.
Underwater volcanoes and their linear distribution on the flanks of mid-ocean ridges are common submarine topographic structures at intermediate- and fast-spreading systems, where sufficient melt supplies are often available. Such magma sources beneath the seafloor located within a few kilometers of the corresponding ridge-axis tend to concentrate toward the axis during the upwelling process and contribute to seafloor formation. As a result, seamounts on the flanks of the ridge axis are formed at a distance from the spreading axis and distributed asymmetrically about the axis. In this study, we examined three linearly aligned seamount chains on the flanks of the KR1 ridge, which is the easternmost and longest Australian-Antarctic Ridge (AAR) segment. The AAR is an intermediate-spreading rate system located between the Southeast Indian Ridge and Macquarie Triple Junction of the Australian-Antarctic-Pacific plates. By inspecting the high-resolution shipboard multi-beam bathymetric data newly acquired in the study area, we detected 20 individual seamounts. The volcanic lineament runs parallel to the spreading direction of the KR1 segment. The geomorphologic parameters of height, basal area, volume, and summit types of the identified seamounts were individually measured. We also investigated the spatial distribution of the seamounts along the KR1 segment, which exhibits large variations in axial morphology with depth along the ridge axis. Based on the geomorphology and spatial distribution, all the KR1 seamounts can be divided into two groups: the subset seamounts of volcanic chains distributed along the KR1 segment characterized by high elevation and large volume, and the small seamounts distributed mostly on the western KR1. The differences in the volumetric magnitude of volcanic eruptions on the seafloor and the distance from the given axis between these two groups indicate the presence of magma sources with different origins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing and Geodynamics)
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