remote sensing

Maps and Cartography

View the Human Footprint on this Rotating Globe

July 4, 2023

Caitlin Dempsey

View the global human footprint map developed from 180,000 satellite images.

Scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) in the UK, funded via the UK National Centre for Earth Observation, working with colleagues from France, have combined ocean-colour satellite data made available through ESA’s Climate Change Initiative with in situ measurements from Argo and new Bio-Argo floats, partially-funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council, to work out how much energy is transported from the ocean’s surface down to the mesopelagic layer. They estimate that seasonal mixed layer pump moves around 300 million tonnes of carbon each year, which is a vital energy source for organisms living in the deep dark part of the ocean. Source: Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Oceanography

Satellites Delve into the Depths of One of the Earth’s Largest Ecosystems

June 21, 2021

Liam Oakwood

Satellite imagery is helping marine scientists gain new understanding of ocean ecosystems.

The different sources that contribute to the magnetic field measured by Swarm. The coupling currents or field-aligned currents flow along magnetic field lines between the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Source: ESA/DTU Space

Oceanography

Measuring the Ocean’s Magnetic Field with Satellites

April 14, 2020

Liam Oakwood

The European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites are investigating the Earth’s magnetic field and the part that shifting ocean tides play.

Interferogram showing the ground deformation caused by the August 24, 2016 earthquake in Italy. Source: modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2016)/ESA/ CNR-IREA.

Physical Geography

This Interferogram Shows Ground Displacement in Italy as a Result of the Recent Earthquake

May 21, 2021

Caitlin Dempsey

The European Space Agency posted an interferogram showing ground displacement as a result of the recent earthquake in Italy.

Comparison of land cover between 1968 Corona and 2006 Quickbird images is shown. The upper pair indicates increased tree extent and density (e.g. outlined in green) in undisturbed areas, reflecting positive response of vegetation to climate warming. The lower pair highlights the changes in thermokarst lakes between 1968 (a) and 2006 (b) without much human activity associated disturbance, indicating thawing permafrost that leads to underground drainage.

Human Geography

Changes in Arctic Environments

April 27, 2024

A.J. Rohn

Using remote sensing, a team of researchers is studying the fragile arctic environments of Northwest Siberia and how resource extraction and a warming climate affect vegetation, permafrost, and energy budgets.

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View the Human Footprint on this Rotating Globe

Satellites Delve into the Depths of One of the Earth’s Largest Ecosystems

Measuring the Ocean’s Magnetic Field with Satellites

This Interferogram Shows Ground Displacement in Italy as a Result of the Recent Earthquake

Changes in Arctic Environments

Caitlin Dempsey

GIS

Geography

Geography Realm