Earth Observation – GeoHazards

The mission of the Earth Observation and Geohazards Expert Group (EOEG) from EuroGeoSurveys is to bridge the gap between Earth Observation (EO) technological and scientific capabilities and the delivery of harmonized pan-European information on geo-sciences improving the operational capacity and economic capabilities of governments, institutions, organizations, businesses and individuals.

EuroGeoSurveys members have a broad expertise and experience on applied EO to geohazards, georesources exploration, mining and environment impact assessment. Through the EOEG, they share this expertise and research, utilise in-situ airborne and satellite EO techniques and datasets. EOEG coordinated efforts have strengthened EGS position in the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (Copernicus), and European Commission framework programs. This involvement is underpinned by European Commission funded projects such as Minerals4EU, EO-Miners, Mineo, Eufar projects, AfriGEOSS, etc., where the full range of EO tools (optical, hyperspectral, thermal, radar) from various platforms (satellite, airborne, in-situ) permit to improve the detection and mapping of geo-resources, the assessment and monitoring of environmental and social impacts of mining activities from exploration to decommissioning and closure. Similarly, geohazards funded projects such as Terrafirma, Doris, SubCoast, Evoss, PanGeo, Lampre, etc. have permitted to successfully exploit the most advanced EO technology to detect, map, monitor and model geohazards that are threatening European territory.

Our vision is that EGS will increasingly become a key European organisation for Earth Observation and Geohazards through: the application of EO technology to geo-sciences (geohazards, geo-resources, mining and environment); the implementation of long term in-situ observation systems where EO data can be benchmarked; and the delivery of harmonized pan-European information on geohazards. It is expected that these products and services will be served through the European Geological Data Infrastructure, one of the three pillars of EuroGeoSurveys Strategy. These actions will help the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) creating a Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) in the framework of EC’s Copernicus initiative. For this purpose future H2020 calls will be responded by the EOEG.


…about Earth Observation

Earth Observations (EO) from satellites in orbit, high and low altitude aircraft and ground-based observation systems play an increasing role in modern geological measurement, mapping, monitoring and modelling. They allow field resources to be targeted efficiently, provide an economic, consistent, synoptic view over large areas and support teamwork. In some cases, they also measure spatial parameters that are hard to measure in other ways, such as exposed soil and rock mineralogy or ground surface displacements. Consequently, they offer considerable efficiency, cost and quality gains for those Geological Surveys proficient in their application.