Application of satellite remote sensing in natural hazard management: the Mount Mangart landslide case study

The use of remote sensing is becoming increasingly frequent in environmental studies. Recently, there has been almost no serious research of the environment performed without advanced image processing and analysis. One of the most important applications of remote sensing can be found in the case of natural disasters, where satellite imagery can be a valuable data source used in order to support rescue operations and damage estimation. With advanced studies, remote sensing can also be used to predict catastrophic events and to determine hazardous areas. This paper commences with a review of the remote sensing applications in natural hazard monitoring. Several case studies are presented, ranging from the El Niño devastation analysis and inundation area determination to forest fire detection and landslide observation. The Mount Mangart landslide case study is then described in greater detail. Some general remarks on landslide development are depicted and its consequences are described. A short outline of the 'Space and Major Disasters' Charter, which presented the framework for the remote sensing application to the event, is also given. Details on processing optical (SPOT, Landsat) and radar (ERS, RADARSAT) satellite imagery are presented. Both basic image interpretation and advanced GIS integration and analysis are described. The paper ends with a few general remarks on the usability of remote sensing in hazard studies and the 'Space and Major Disasters' Charter.