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Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management

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A special issue of ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (ISSN 2220-9964).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 11447

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Adrianos Retalis

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Guest Editor

Institute for Environmental Research & Sustainable Development (IERSD), National Observatory of Athens (NOA), GR 15236 Athens, Greece
Interests: environmental applications of remote sensing; atmospheric correction; air quality assessment/monitoring; aerosols; natural hazards; land cover/use change; GIS; spatial data analysis; climate change; natural disasters and extremes; desertification; precision farming; soil erosion
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Dr. Dimitrios D. Alexakis

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Guest Editor

Institute for Mediterranean Studies, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 74100 Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Interests: remote sensing; GIS; geomorphology; landscape ecology; landscape archaeology; soil erosion; land cover/land use change; natural hazards monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Earth observation (EO) and GIS have proven to be powerful tools for monitoring, mapping, and assessing the impacts of natural hazards. Recently, there has been a vast availability of EO data from multiple sources (i.e., satellite, aerial, UAV, Lidar) that has assisted scientists in providing timely, accurate, and spatially explicit information on various hazards. This is particularly true in data-scarce environments, thanks to the great advantage of sensing extended areas at low cost and with regular revisit capability. Although EO already plays a critical role in a wide variety of disaster activities, challenges remain in methods or algorithms required to monitor, map, model, and assess.

This Special Issue is open to a diverse range of contributions on recent advances in the application of remote sensing and GIS methods for the monitoring/mapping/modeling/assessment/mitigation of natural hazards, such as landslides, floods, wildfires, droughts, and erosion. Methods for the development of algorithms for data processing/interpretation and the presentation of case studies are welcome. We invite submissions that may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

Mapping of (historical) events;
(Near) real-time hazard monitoring;
Remote sensing for hazard/vulnerability/risk analysis mapping and damage assessment;
Single/multi-hazard detection, modeling, vulnerability, and prediction;
Applications in support of disaster risk reduction and adaptation strategies;
Fusion of remotely sensed imagery for disaster applications.

Dr. Adrianos Retalis
Dr. Dimitrios D. Alexakis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

natural hazard
disasters (floods, landslides, earthquakes, erosion, wildfires, droughts, etc.).
vulnerability
emergency response
remote sensing
Earth observation
GIS

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 16699 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Relationship Between Land Subsidence and Ecological Environmental Quality in Shenfu Mining Area, Loess Plateau, China

by Shuaizhi Kang, Xia Jia, Yonghua Zhao, Yong Ao and Chaoqun Ma

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(11), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13110390 (registering DOI) - 31 Oct 2024

Abstract

The exploitation of coal resources has caused problems such as ground deformation, affecting the ecological environment. Spatiotemporal varying characteristics between land subsidence and ecological environmental quality (EEQ) are an important research hotspot. Using the SBAS-InSAR method, 64 Sentinel-1 images were utilized to monitor land subsidence in the Shenfu mining area, one of China’s largest coal source regions. And the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) was used to monitor and evaluate EEQ of the Shenfu mining area. Global and local spatial autocorrelation methods were used to assess the spatial aggregation degree and change patterns over time. Spatial Econometric Models were employed to explore the impacts of land subsidence on EEQ. The results showed the following: (1) The average RSEI values in the Shenfu mining area were 0.531, 0.488, and 0.523 in 2016, 2018, and 2020, respectively; there was a slight downward trend in EEQ. The permanent scatter (PS) point deformation rate ranged from −353.40 mm/year to +246.24 mm/year, with average deformation rates of 0.1642, 0.2181, and 0.2490 mm/year, respectively. (2) There was a significant correlation and spatial agglomeration effect between land surface subsidence and EEQ. Low–high, high–low, and low–low clusters were the main types of relationships, indicating that land subsidence primarily has a negative spatial impact on the ecological environment. (3) The relationship between land subsidence and EEQ varied spatially in the Shenfu mining area at 500 × 500 grid units. This research can provide scientific guidance for disaster prevention and sustainable development in mining areas by considering long-term differences in ecological environmental quality and its correlation with land subsidence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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19 pages, 11691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Variation in Pluvial Flash Flood Risk in the Lhasa River Basin, 1991–2020

by Xiaoran Fu, Zhonggen Wang, Hongquan Sun, Dong Wang, Jiayu Tian, Pingping Sun, Xin Su and Liaofeng Liang

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(11), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13110387 (registering DOI) - 31 Oct 2024

Viewed by 113

Abstract

The analysis of temporal and spatial variability in risk has garnered significant research attention, particularly regarding flash flood disasters in the context of warming and wetting conditions on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Focusing on the Lhasa River basin, this study develops a framework that integrates geographic information systems and a combined subjective–objective weighting approach to comprehensively assess flash flood risk despite limited observations. This paper investigates the distribution patterns of hazard, vulnerability, and the integrated risk of pluvial flash floods; demonstrates the reliability of the assessment results; and provides mitigation recommendations for disaster risk management at the county level. The results showed a trend in increasing flash flood risk in recent decades compared to the 1990s. Moreover, very-high- and high-risk areas were concentrated in downstream regions with frequent precipitation extremes and anthropogenic activity. From 1991 to 2020, the high to very high-risk areas gradually expanded from central Lhasa to neighbouring counties. This study contributes valuable insights into flash flood risk assessment cand mapping, which are crucial in terms of the protection of life and property in the plateau basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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16 pages, 9966 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Fine-Scale Urban Heat Health Risk and Its Potential Driving Factors Based on Local Climate Zones in Shenzhen, China

by Riguga Su, Chaobin Yang, Zhibo Xu, Tingwen Luo and Lilong Yang

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(10), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13100367 - 18 Oct 2024

Viewed by 540

Abstract

Cities are facing increased heat-related health risks (HHRs) due to the combined effects of global warming and rapid urbanization. However, few studies have focused on HHR assessment based on fine-scale information. Moreover, most studies only analyze spatial HHR patterns and do not explore the potential driving factors. In this study, we estimated the potential HHRs based on the “hazard–exposure–vulnerability” framework by using multisource data, including the modified thermal–humidity index (MTHI), population density, and land cover. Then, the variations in the HHRs among different local climate zones (LCZs) at the fine spatial scale were analyzed in detail. Finally, we compared the different contributions of the LCZs and types of land cover to the HHRs and their three components by using multiple linear regression models. The results indicate that the spatial pattern of the HHRs was different from those of the individual components, and high-hazard regions do not mean high HHRs. There were huge variations in the HHRs among the different LCZs. The built-up LCZs typically had much higher HHRs than the natural ones, with compact LCZs facing the most severe risk. LCZ 6 (open low-rise buildings) had a relatively low HHR and should be paid more attention in future urban planning. Compared to the LCZs, the land covers better explained the variations in the HHR. In contrast, the LCZs better predicted the land surface temperatures. However, both the LCZs and land covers made only slight contributions to the heat exposure and vulnerability. Furthermore, the manmade buildings and impervious surface areas contributed much more to the HHR than the natural land covers. Therefore, the arrangement of the warming LCZs and land cover types is worthy of further investigation from the perspective of HHR mitigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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21 pages, 8247 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Assessment of Large-Scale Regional Fluvial Flood Exposure Using Public Datasets: A Case Study from China

by Xuanchi Chen, Bingjie Liang, Junhua Li, Yingchun Cai and Qiuhua Liang

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(10), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13100357 - 8 Oct 2024

Viewed by 649

Abstract

China’s vulnerability to fluvial floods necessitates extensive exposure studies. Previous large-scale regional analyses often relied on a limited set of assessment indicators due to challenges in data acquisition, compounded by the scarcity of corresponding large-scale flood distribution data. The integration of public datasets offers a potential solution to these challenges. In this study, we obtained four key exposure indicators—population, built-up area (BA), road length (RL), and average gross domestic product (GDP)—and conducted an innovative analysis of their correlations both overall and locally. Utilising these indicators, we developed a comprehensive exposure index employing entropy-weighting and k-means clustering methods and assessed fluvial flood exposure across multiple return periods using fluvial flood maps. The datasets used for these indicators, as well as the flood maps, are primarily derived from remote sensing products. Our findings indicate a weak correlation between the various indicators at both global and local scales, underscoring the limitations of using singular indicators for a thorough exposure assessment. Notably, we observed a significant concentration of exposure and river flooding east of the Hu Line, particularly within the eastern coastal region. As flood return periods extended from 10 to 500 years, the extent of areas with flood depths exceeding 1 m expanded markedly, encompassing 2.24% of China’s territory. This expansion heightened flood risks across 15 administrative regions with varying exposure levels, particularly in Jiangsu (JS) and Shanghai (SH). This research provides a robust framework for understanding flood risk dynamics, advocating for resource allocation towards prevention and control in high-exposure, high-flood areas. Our findings establish a solid scientific foundation for effectively mitigating river flood risks in China and promoting sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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17 pages, 15276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban–Rural Exposure to Flood Hazard and Social Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States

by Bishal Dhungana and Weibo Liu

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090339 - 22 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1759

Abstract

This study investigates the spatial disparities in flood risk and social vulnerability across 66,543 census tracts in the Conterminous United States (CONUS), emphasizing urban–rural differences. Utilizing the American Community Survey (ACS) 2016–2020 data, we focused on 16 social factors representing socioeconomic status, household composition, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing and transportation access. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced these variables into five principal components: Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Elderly and Disability, Housing Density and Vehicle Access, Youth and Mobile Housing, and Group Quarters and Unemployment. An additive model created a comprehensive Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Statistical analysis, including the Mann–Whitney U test, indicated significant differences in flood risk and social vulnerability between urban and rural areas. Spatial cluster analysis using Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) revealed significant high flood risk and social vulnerability clusters, particularly in urban regions along the Gulf Coast, Atlantic Seaboard, and Mississippi River. Global and local regression models, including Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), highlighted social vulnerability’s spatial variability and localized impacts on flood risk. The results showed substantial regional disparities, with urban areas exhibiting higher flood risks and social vulnerability, especially in southeastern urban centers. The analysis also revealed that Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Group Quarters and Unemployment, and Housing Density and Vehicle Access are closely related to flood risk in urban areas, while in rural areas, the relationship between flood risk and factors such as Elderly and Disability and Youth and Mobile Housing is more pronounced. This study underscores the necessity for targeted, region-specific strategies to mitigate flood risks and enhance resilience, particularly in areas where high flood risk and social vulnerability converge. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and planners aiming to address environmental justice and promote equitable flood risk management across diverse geographic settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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19 pages, 29485 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Geometric Characterization of the Mateur Plain in Northern Tunisia Using Vertical Electrical Sounding and Remote Sensing Techniques

by Wissal Issaoui, Imen Hamdi Nasr, Dimitrios D. Alexakis, Wafa Bejaoui, Ismael M. Ibraheem, Ahmed Ezzine, Dhouha Ben Othman and Mohamed Hédi Inoubli

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090333 - 18 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 645

Abstract

The Mateur aquifer system in Northern Tunisia was examined using data from 19 water boreholes, 69 vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations, and a Sentinel-2 satellite image. Available boreholes and their corresponding logs were compared to define precisely the multi-layer aquifer system, including the Quaternary and Campanian aquifers of the Mateur plain. Quantitative interpretation and qualitative evaluation of VES data were conducted to define the geometry of these reservoirs. These interpretations were enhanced by remote sensing imagery processing, which enabled the identification of the Mateur plain’s superficial lineaments. Based on well log information, the lithological columns show that the Quaternary series in the Ras El Ain region contains a layer of clayey, pebbly, and gravelly limestone. Additionally, in the Oued El Tine area, a clayey lithological unit has been identified as a multi-layer aquifer. The study area, exhibiting apparent resistivity values ranging between 20 and 170 Ohm·m, appears to be rich in groundwater resources. The correlation between the lithological columns and the interpreted VES data, presented as geoelectrical cross-sections, revealed variations in depth (8–106 m), thickness (10 to 55 m), and resistivity (20–98 Ohm·m) of a coarse unit corresponding to the Mateur aquifer. Twenty-three superficial lineaments were extracted from the Sentinel-2 image. Their common superposition indicated that both of them are in a good coincidence; these could be the result of normal faults, creating an aquifer system divided into raised and sunken blocks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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21 pages, 9545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Universal Snow Avalanche Modeling Index Based on SAFI–Flow-R Approach in Poorly-Gauged Regions

by Uroš Durlević, Aleksandar Valjarević, Ivan Novković, Filip Vujović, Nemanja Josifov, Jelka Krušić, Blaž Komac, Tatjana Djekić, Sudhir Kumar Singh, Goran Jović, Milan Radojković and Marko Ivanović

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090315 - 1 Sep 2024

Viewed by 961

Abstract

Most high-mountain regions worldwide are susceptible to snow avalanches during the winter or all year round. In this study, a Universal Snow Avalanche Modeling Index is developed, suitable for determining avalanche hazard in mountain regions. The first step in the research is the collection of data in the field and their processing in geographic information systems and remote sensing. In the period 2023–2024, avalanches were mapped in the field, and later, avalanches as points in geographic information systems (GIS) were overlapped with the dominant natural conditions in the study area. The second step involves determining the main criteria (snow cover, terrain slope, and land use) and evaluating the values to obtain the Snow Avalanche Formation Index (SAFI). Thresholds obtained through field research and the formation of avalanche inventory were used to develop the SAFI index. The index is applied with the aim of identifying locations susceptible to avalanche formation (source areas). The values used for the calculation include Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI > 0.6), terrain slope (20–60°) and land use (pastures, meadows). The third step presents the analysis of SAFI locations with meteorological conditions (winter precipitation and winter air temperature). The fourth step is the modeling of the propagation (simulation) of other parts of the snow avalanche in the Flow-R software 2.0. The results show that 282.9 km² of the study area (Šar Mountains, Serbia) is susceptible to snow avalanches, with the thickness of the potentially triggered layer being 50 cm. With a 5 m thick snowpack, 299.9 km² would be susceptible. The validation using the ROC-AUC method confirms a very high predictive power (0.94). The SAFI–Flow-R approach offers snow avalanche modeling for which no avalanche inventory is available, representing an advance for all mountain areas where historical data do not exist. The results of the study can be used for land use planning, zoning vulnerable areas, and adopting adequate environmental protection measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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24 pages, 32875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Sequential Backward Selection (SBS) and CatBoost for Snow Avalanche Susceptibility Mapping at Catchment Scale

by Sinem Cetinkaya and Sultan Kocaman

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090312 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 695

Abstract

Snow avalanche susceptibility (AS) mapping is a crucial step in predicting and mitigating avalanche risks in mountainous regions. The conditioning factors used in AS modeling are diverse, and the optimal set of factors depends on the environmental and geological characteristics of the region. Using a sub-optimal set of input features with a data-driven machine learning (ML) method can lead to challenges like dealing with high-dimensional data, overfitting, and reduced model generalization. This study implemented a robust framework involving the Sequential Backward Selection (SBS) algorithm and a decision-tree based ML model, CatBoost, for the automatic selection of predictive variables for AS mapping. A comprehensive inventory of a large avalanche period, previously derived from satellite images, was used for the investigations in three distinct catchment areas in the Swiss Alps. The integrated SBS-CatBoost approach achieved very high classification accuracies between 94% and 97% for the three catchments. In addition, the Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method was employed to analyze the contributions of each feature to avalanche occurrences. The proposed methodology revealed the benefits of integrating advanced feature selection algorithms with ML techniques for AS assessment. We aimed to contribute to avalanche hazard knowledge by assessing the impact of each feature in model learning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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22 pages, 29298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landslide Recognition Based on Machine Learning Considering Terrain Feature Fusion

by Jincan Wang, Zhiheng Wang, Liyao Peng and Chenzhihao Qian

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090306 - 28 Aug 2024

Viewed by 687

Abstract

Landslides are one of the major disasters that exist worldwide, posing a serious threat to human life and property safety. Rapid and accurate detection and mapping of landslides are crucial for risk assessment and humanitarian assistance in affected areas. To achieve this goal, this study proposes a landslide recognition method based on machine learning (ML) and terrain feature fusion. Taking the Dawan River Basin in Detuo Township and Tianwan Yi Ethnic Township as the research area, firstly, landslide-related data were compiled, including a landslide inventory based on field surveys, satellite images, historical data, high-resolution remote sensing images, and terrain data. Then, different training datasets for landslide recognition are constructed, including full feature datasets that fusion terrain features and remote sensing features and datasets that only contain remote sensing features. At the same time, different ratios of landslide to non-landslide (or positive/negative, P/N) samples are set in the training data. Subsequently, five ML algorithms, including Extreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost), Adaptive Boost (AdaBoost), Light Gradient Boost (LightGBM), Random Forest (RF), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), were used to train each training dataset, and landslide recognition was performed on the validation area. Finally, accuracy (A), precision (P), recall (R), F1 score (F1), and intersection over union (IOU) were selected to evaluate the landslide recognition ability of different models. The research results indicate that selecting ML models suitable for the study area and the ratio of the P/N samples can improve the A, R, F1, and IOU of landslide identification results, resulting in more accurate and reasonable landslide identification results; Fusion terrain features can make the model recognize landslides more comprehensively and align better with the actual conditions. The best-performing model in the study is LightGBM. When the input data includes all features and the P/N sample ratio is optimal, the A, P, R, F1, and IOU of landslide recognition results for this model are 97.47%, 85.40%, 76.95%, 80.95%, and 71.28%, respectively. Compared to the landslide recognition results using only remote sensing features, this model shows improvements of 4.51%, 35.66%, 5.41%, 22.27%, and 29.16% in A, P, R, F1, and IOU, respectively. This study serves as a valuable reference for the precise and comprehensive identification of landslide areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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27 pages, 22313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landslide Risk Assessments through Multicriteria Analysis

by Fatma Zohra Chaabane, Salim Lamine, Mohamed Said Guettouche, Nour El Islam Bachari and Nassim Hallal

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(9), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13090303 - 25 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1487

Abstract

Natural risks comprise a whole range of disasters and dangers, requiring comprehensive management through advanced assessment, forecasting, and warning systems. Our specific focus is on landslides in difficult terrains. The evaluation of landslide risks employs sophisticated multicriteria models, such as the weighted sum GIS approach, which integrates qualitative parameters. Despite the challenges posed by the rugged terrain in Northern Algeria, it is paradoxically home to a dense population attracted by valuable hydro-agricultural resources. The goal of our research is to study landslide risks in these areas, particularly in the Mila region, with the aim of constructing a mathematical model that integrates both hazard and vulnerability considerations. This complex process identifies threats and their determining factors, including geomorphology and socio-economic conditions. We developed two algorithms, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), to prioritize criteria and sub-criteria by assigning weights to them, aiming to find the optimal solution. By integrating multi-source data, including satellite images and in situ measurements, into a GIS and applying the two algorithms, we successfully generated landslide susceptibility maps. The FAHP method demonstrated a higher capacity to manage uncertainty and specialist assessment errors. Finally, a comparison between the developed risk map and the observed risk inventory map revealed a strong correlation between the thematic datasets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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19 pages, 13729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using GIS-Based Frequency Ratio and Shannon’s Entropy Index Bivariate Statistical Models: A Case Study of Chandrapur District, India

by Asheesh Sharma, Mandeep Poonia, Ankush Rai, Rajesh B. Biniwale, Franziska Tügel, Ekkehard Holzbecher and Reinhard Hinkelmann

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(8), 297; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13080297 - 22 Aug 2024

Viewed by 908

Abstract

Flooding poses a significant threat as a prevalent natural disaster. To mitigate its impact, identifying flood-prone areas through susceptibility mapping is essential for effective flood risk management. This study conducted flood susceptibility mapping (FSM) in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, India, using geographic information system (GIS)-based frequency ratio (FR) and Shannon’s entropy index (SEI) models. Seven flood-contributing factors were considered, and historical flood data were utilized for model training and testing. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) metric. The AUC values of 0.982 for the SEI model and 0.966 for the FR model in the test dataset underscore the robust performance of both models. The results revealed that 5.4% and 8.1% (FR model) and 3.8% and 7.6% (SEI model) of the study area face very high and high risks of flooding, respectively. Comparative analysis indicated the superiority of the SEI model. The key limitations of the models are discussed. This study attempted to simplify the process for the easy and straightforward implementation of FR and SEI statistical flood susceptibility models along with key insights into the flood vulnerability of the study region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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27 pages, 27248 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Rock Mass Discontinuity Detection Approach with CNNs and Multi-View Image Augmentation

by Ilyas Yalcin, Recep Can, Candan Gokceoglu and Sultan Kocaman

ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(6), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13060185 - 31 May 2024

Viewed by 1100

Abstract

Discontinuity is a key element used by geoscientists and civil engineers to characterize rock masses. The traditional approach to detecting and measuring rock discontinuity relies on fieldwork, which poses dangers to human life. Photogrammetric pattern recognition and 3D measurement techniques offer new possibilities without direct contact with rock masses. This study proposes a new approach to detect discontinuities using close-range photogrammetric techniques and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained on a small amount of data. Investigations were conducted on basalts in Bala, Ankara, Türkiye. A total of 34 multi-view images were collected with a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), and discontinuity lines were manually delineated on a point cloud generated from these images. The lines were back-projected onto the raw images to increase the amount of data, a process we call multi-view (3D) augmentation. We further evaluated radiometric and geometric augmentation methods, the contribution of multi-view augmentation to the proposed model, and the transfer learning performance of six different CNN architectures. The highest performance was achieved with U-Net + SE-ResNeXt-50 with an F1-score of 90.6%. The CNN model trained from scratch with local features also yielded a similar F1-score (91.7%), which is the highest performance reported in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Evacuation Transport Provision Design Using Network Analysis with GIS Support
Authors: Jozef Kubás; Boris Kollár; Katarína Petrlová; Alexandra Trličíková; Kateřina Blažková
Affiliation: Department of Crisis Management, Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Žilina
Abstract: Evacuation is an important element of protection of the population in the event of crisis events and failure of protective measures. This paper focuses on the design of transport provision for evacuation during a special flood caused by an accident at a water structure using GIS-enabled network analysis. Freely available data on population and address points were used to calculate the number of inhabitants at risk for the purpose of transport security planning. Using the PERT method, three scenarios for the time required for each evacuation activity were determined and the time required for evacuation was determined using a Gantt chart. The approach proposed in the paper is suitable for obtaining relatively fast results that can be considered in preparation for crisis events. The results of the case study proved that the evacuation can be accomplished in the necessary time but revealed possible shortcomings of the proposed approach. These shortcomings are discussed, with possible alternative solutions and other factors influencing the evacuation planning process.

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