Earth Observation – Geohazards
The Earth Observation and Geohazards Expert Group bridges the gap between Earth Observation technological and scientific capabilities and delivering harmonised pan-European geoscience data to improve the operational capacity and economic capabilities of governments, institutions, organisations, enterprises and individuals.
The Earth Observation and Geohazards Expert Group (EOEG)
Earth observation, by definition, is the gathering of information about the Earth, including both remote sensing systems (sensors in satellites, low-altitude aircrafts, remotely piloted aircraft systems etc) and in-situ data (ground-based monitoring systems, data collection, fieldwork).
The systematic observation of the Earth’s surface and the monitoring of ground deformation allows the precise mapping and assessment of geohazards.
Geohazards can have a severe impact on human lives and properties and may lead to serious socio-economic consequences. EOEG focuses on evaluating the impact of geohazards in Europe, through the harmonisation and upgrading of national databases and the application of innovative mapping, monitoring and modelling techniques and methods.
Additionally, Earth observation systems can detect ground surface changes, mineral compositions of outcrops and ground movements that contribute to environmental assessments used by the mining industry to support environmental management and social wellbeing.
Earth observation data is predominantly used in geological observations, mapping, monitoring, and modelling. The data is efficient and cost-effective because it is targeted, consistent, and provides a synoptic view over large areas of the Earth. The close collaboration between the Geological Surveys of Europe enables the collection and harmonisation of these data and provides a pan-European baseline of environmental conditions for future geological research. This baseline provides information for governments, institutions, organisations and individuals who use it to contribute to sustainable environmental and societal management.
EOEG will become a key advisor on Earth Observation and Geohazards through the application of EO technologies to geosciences, the implementation of long term in-situ observation systems, and the delivery of harmonised pan-European information.
The coordinated efforts of EOEG have strengthened EuroGeoSurveys’ position in the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme (Copernicus), and European Commission framework programmes. This involvement is supported by European Commission-funded projects such as, MINEO, e-ECORISK, EO-Miners, Eufar projects, AfriGEOSS, GEOCRADLE and others, in which the full range of EO tools (optical, hyperspectral, thermal, radar) from various platforms (satellite, airborne, in-situ) allows for better detection, characterisation and mapping of geo-resources, as well as assessment and monitoring of environmental and social impacts of mining activities. Similarly, projects addressing geohazards, such as Terrafirma, Doris, SubCoast, Evoss, PanGeo, Lampre, U-Geohaz, e-shape and RASTOOL have successfully used the most advanced earth observation technology to detect, map, monitor, and model geohazards in Europe.
| Position | Country | Survey | Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Greece | HSGME | Eleftheria Poyiadji | kynpo@igme.gr |
| Deputy Chair | Portugal | LNEG | Lídia Quental | lidia.quental@lneg.pt |
| Deputy Chair | Spain | IGME | Rosa Maria Mateos | rm.mateos@igme.es |
| Deputy Chair | Slovenia | GeoZS | Mateja Jemec | mateja.jemec-auflic@geo-zs.si |