Research area: Applied Earth Sciences
Coordinators: Farncesco Zucca, Claudia Meisina, Niccolò Menegoni, Matteo Crozi
ERC sectors: PE10_14 Earth observations from space/remote sensing; PE10_5 Geology, tectonics, volcanology; PE10_13 Physical geography, geomorphology
1. Satellite Remote Sensing
Satellite remote sensing for geoscience and environmental applications is now a consolidated reality for the Department. Applications to classic and typical remote sensing topics, such as LULC mapping and its dynamics, mapping of ground deformations induced by tectonics, volcanism, and human activity (in collaboration with the GEO05 group), and flooding processes, are complemented by applications and experiments on cutting-edge and innovative topics, such as ecogeomorphology, ecohydrology, and remote sensing of the Critical Zone. These are implemented using modern fusion-integration approaches between heterogeneous, multiscale, and multitemporal active and passive sensor platforms and platforms to identify and map energy and mass exchanges at different spatial and temporal resolutions. The group is exploring the potential use of hyperspectral data from satellites (e.g., PRISMA), aircraft, and proximal platforms.
2. Ground-based Remote Sensing
Regarding the ground-based component of remote sensing, the group has long been involved in proximal survey activities using the gbSAR platform, particularly on issues related to the dynamics of periglacial and glacial environments, and in measurement and monitoring using unconventional proximal survey systems, including the construction of platforms and the integration of sensors. This includes, for example, the development of an aquatic drone for monitoring river environments, equipped with a system for simultaneously acquiring environmental and infrastructure data both below and above the waterline. This approach allows for rapid, spatially related information on hydraulic systems (both natural and artificial) and infrastructure, producing spatial databases of elements and characteristics that would otherwise be difficult to survey using conventional methods.
3. Remote Sensing via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
The recent development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which allow for very high-resolution land surveys and unique observation points compared to traditional ground-based and aerial platforms (e.g., helicopters, airplanes, satellites), has seen and continues to see the laboratory engaged in the field. Furthermore, the ability of UAVs to mount different sensors allows for the use of different survey techniques (photogrammetry, telemetry, thermometry, spectrometry, etc.) and therefore for a wide range of terrain analyses. Given the lack of a clear and consolidated convergence on processing methodologies for the application of these innovative tools to the geosciences, the Remote Sensing Laboratory aims to apply, test, integrate, and develop new methodologies for remote sensing of the territory, useful to various fields of earth sciences.
4. 3D Virtual Geology
Advances and developments in the geosciences are increasingly linked to technological and information technology. While technological developments enable the acquisition of an ever-greater variety and quality of chemical, physical, and spatial data, information technology developments enable the storage, analysis, and sharing of vast quantities of data increasingly quickly and easily. In the geosciences, the visualization and analysis of this data is often limited to the use of simple graphs, tables, and 2D and 2.5D maps, which limit the full potential of the collected data. The research group aims to develop cutting-edge methods for the 3D management and analysis of geological and environmental data, through the development of techniques for the management and analysis of 3D/4D data, focusing in particular on sedimentological, stratigraphic, structural, geomorphological, and environmental topics. Furthermore, virtual environments are explored and developed to support teaching activities.
5. Geoarchaeology
The Remote Sensing Laboratory also actively collaborates on geoarchaeological research, developed in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology at the University of Pavia and other universities, focusing specifically on the relationship between the physical landscape and ancient settlements. Integrating geomorphological data, including those obtained from various TLR research projects, with historical information on the areas examined allows for a comprehensive interpretation of the landscape and its evolution. While human interference with natural processes cannot be ignored, the settlement choices of ancient settlements can be justified based on landscape features and their modifications. Integrated analysis allows us to define not only the temporal framework within which certain geomorphological events occurred but also the mechanisms underlying these events.
Istituto Regionale per la Protezione Idrogeologica (IRPI); CNR Torino; Istituto nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) Roma; Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori (IUSS) Pavia
1. Telerilevamento Satellitare
Assini S., Filipponi F. & Zucca F. (2015). Land cover changes in abandoned agricultural land in the Northern Apennine (Italy) between 1954 and 2008: spatio-temporal dynamics. DOI:10.1080/11263504.2014.983202. pp.807-817. In PLANT BIOSYSTEMS - ISSN:1724-5575 vol. 149 (5)
Brunori CA, Bignami C, Albano M, Zucca F, Samsonov S, Groppelli G, Norini G, Saroli M, Stramondo S. (2015) Land subsidence, Ground Fissures and Buried Faults: InSAR Monitoring of Ciudad Guzmán (Jalisco, Mexico). Remote Sensing. 2015; 7(7):8610-8630. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70708610
Vollrath A., Zucca F., Bekaert D., Bonforte A., Guglielmino F., Hooper A. & Stramondo S. (2017). Decomposing DInSAR time-series into 3-D in combination with GPS in the case of Low strain rates: An application to the hyblean plateau, Sicily, Italy. DOI:10.3390/rs9010033. In REMOTE SENSING - ISSN:2072-4292 vol. 9 (1)
Notti, D., Giordan, D., Calo, F., Pepe, A., Zucca, F., Galve, J. P. (2018). Potential and limitations of open satellite data for flood mapping. DOI:10.3390/rs10111673. pp.1673-1702. REMOTE SENSING - ISSN:2072-4292 vol. 10 (11)
Yan X., Yang T., Xu Y., Tosi L., Stouthamer E., Andreas H., Minderhoud P., Ladawadee A., Hanssen R, Erkens G., Teatini P., Lin J., Boni R., Chimpalee J., Huang X., Lio CD., Meisina C. & Zucca F. (2020) Advances and Practices on the Research, Prevention and Control of Land Subsidence in Coastal Cities. Acta Geol Sin 94(1):162–175.
2. Telerilevamento ground based
Dematteis N., Giordan D., Zucca F., Luzi G. & Allasia P. (2018).4D surface kinematics monitoring through terrestrial radar interferometry and image cross-correlation coupling. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2018.05.017. pp.38-50. In ISPRS JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING - ISSN:0924-2716 vol. 142
Luzi, G., Dematteis, N., Zucca, F., Monserrat, O., Giordan, D., López-Moreno, J.I. (2018). Terrestrial radar interferometry to monitor glaciers with complex atmospheric screen. International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 2018-July, art. no. 8519008, pp. 6243-6246.
ISBN: 978-153867150-4 doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2018.8519008
3. Telerilevamento tramite Sistemi Aerei a Pilotaggio Remoto (SAPR/UAV)
Menegoni, N., Giordan, D., & Perotti, C. (2020). Reliability and uncertainties of the analysis of an unstable rock slope performed on RPAS digital outcrop models: The case of the Gallivaggio landslide (Western Alps, Italy). Remote Sensing, 12(10), 1635.
Menegoni, N., Giordan, D., Perotti, C., & Tannant, D. D. (2019). Detection and geometric characterization of rock mass discontinuities using a 3D high-resolution digital outcrop model generated from RPAS imagery–Ormea rock slope, Italy. Engineering geology, 252, 145-163.
Menegoni, N., Meisina, C., Perotti, C., & Crozi, M. (2018). Analysis by UAV digital photogrammetry of folds and related fractures in the Monte Antola Flysch Formation (Ponte Organasco, Italy). Geosciences, 8(8), 299.
4. Geologia virtuale 3D
Menegoni, N., Giordan, D., & Perotti, C. (2021). An Open-Source Algorithm for 3D ROck Slope Kinematic Analysis (ROKA). Applied Sciences, 11(4), 1698.
Inama, R., Menegoni, N., & Perotti, C. (2020). Syndepositional fractures and architecture of the lastoni di formin carbonate platform: Insights from virtual outcrop models and field studies. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 121, 104606.
5. Geoarcheologia
P.L. Dall’Aglio, L. Pellegrini, K. Ferrari, G. Marchetti, 2011. Correlazioni tra geografia fisica e urbanistica antica: il caso della pianura padana centrale. Atti Soc. Tosc. Sci. Nat., Mem., SerieA, 116, 85-94. Doi 10.2424/ASTSN.M.2011.08
Dall’Aglio P.L., Giorgi E., Silani M., Aldrovandi M., Franceschelli C., Nesci O., Savelli D., Troiani F., Pellegrini L., Zizioli D., 2012. Ancient landscape changes in the North Marche region: an archaeological and geomorphological appraisal in the Cesano valley. Actes des Rencontres. XXXIIe Rencontres Internationales d’Archéologie et d’Histoire d’Antibes: Variabilités Environnementales, Mutations Sociales. Nature, intensités, échelles et temporalités des changements. 20-22 octobre 2011, Antibes, APDCA, 101-112. ISBN 2-904110-52-6
Dall’Aglio P.L., Franceschelli C., Roversi G., Nesci O., Pellegrini L., Savelli D., 2018. Il sistema fognario della città romana di Ostra (Ostra Vetere, AN). In Buora M., Magnani S., I sistemi di smaltimento delle acque nel mondo antico. Aquileia 6-8 aprile 2017. EDITREG Trieste 2018. ISBN 978-88-3349-004-5
Dall’Aglio P.L., Pellegrini L., 2019. Topografia antica e Geomorfologia: le due facce della medesima medaglia. Agri Centuriati, An International Journal of Landscape Archaeology, 16, 11-16
Maggi S., Pellegrini L., Perotti C., Peverelli B., Radaelli L., Zucca F, 2019. Il popolamento rurale di età romana nella pianura vogherese alla luce dell’evoluzione geomorfologica del paesaggio. Agri Centuriati, An International Journal of Landscape Archaeology, 16, 47-66