Integrated use of geomorphological and open-access remote sensing data: examples from different case studies

The growing availability of open-access remote sensing (RS) data such as satellite/airborne radar and multispectral optical images, and the increasing distribution of dedicated software for their analysis (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS, GIS) promote their widespread use in many scientific fields (agriculture, forestry, forecast, geology, etc.) with different purposes (analysis, monitoring, mapping, etc). In geology RS data have become indispensable, especially in the last few decades with the introduction of digital cartography essentially based on them. Here, some case studies concerning the use of open-access RS data with different geological purposes are presented. A SRTM DTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission Digital Terrain Model) was acquired and processed to perform a geomorphometric analysis of a portion of a sedimentary basin (and its drainage network) belonging to the intra-craton region of Mato Grosso (Brazil). The resulting data suggest possible (neo)tectonic influence on such an area. A LiDAR DTM was analyzed to map in detail geomorphologic features characterizing a densely vegetated fluvial delta area (Arno river, Tuscany), providing significant information for its late- Holocene palaeogeographic reconstruction. Multispectral optical satellite images (Landsat 7 ETM+, Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel 2a) were integrated with a LiDAR DTM enabling the detection and mapping of a buried tidally-influenced paleo-drainage system in the Mezzano lowland (Po delta, Emilia-Romagna Region) that furnished new insights in the reconstruction of the Po delta dynamics during the mid-late Holocene period. A dataset of multispectral optical images (Landsat 7 ETM+) were processed and analysed to map coastline variations and sedimentary rivers’ plume dispersion in the sea (i.e., Serchio and Arno rivers), providing useful information about the erosion-accretion dynamic of the Pisa coastal plain. PSInSAR (Permanent Scatterers-Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) data from GEOscopio (Tuscany webGIS) were examined to integrate and update the geomorphologic map of the Patigno landslide (Province of Massa, Tuscany), providing detailed differential displacements data and deformation velocity (mm/yr) ranges affecting the area over time (i.e., several years). Cases listed above are just some examples about open-access RS data potential in facing geological matters. Depending on the data (e.g., DTM, optical image, etc) and based on their geometric resolution with respect to the target, RS data can be exploited in “preliminary” phase to efficiently address further analysis and investigations on an issue (e.g., coring areas with geomorphologic anomalies) and integrated with other data to enhance information on a subject (e.g., quantitative estimation of spatial displacement for a mapped landslide) or used by themselves to get information not otherwise obtainable (e.g., data from remote places or densely vegetated), with the advantage of no money/time charge for their acquisition.