Discipline Earth Observation
Our Earth is changing due to the natural geophysical processes, climate change, land use, growing population and urbanisation. In this discipline, key questions are: how to improve our understanding of the underlying processes and how to make the right decisions for the future? In order to answer these questions, you will learn about advanced remote sensing technologies, together with innovative data science and modelling techniques. Measurement techniques of interest include imaging radar (including interferometry), optical and multi-spectral imaging, gravimetry, radiometry, altimetry, LiDAR, sonar, GNSS, electromagnetic exploration methods, and seismic exploration methods. You will learn about measurement principles, sensors, and data acquisition techniques, as well as how to design and apply geo-data analysis methods and to exploit the data to address scientific and societal challenges related to for example geohazards and climate change.
Key features
➨ Developing observational and modelling techniques to understand, monitor and predict geohazards and changes in our living environment
➨ Developing state-of-the-art analysis tools for massive remote sensing data
Research examples
The landslide forecast coming to you from space
Sometimes it helps to put a bit of distance between yourself and a problem you’re trying to solve. In the case of PhD candidate Adriaan van Natijne that distance is considerable: all the way to space. With the aid of satellite data, and multidisciplinary help, Van Natijne tries to gain a better understanding of landslides so precautions can be taken before they strike.
Moved by moving water
Newton’s law of universal gravitation is good news for the Dutch. Ice melting in Greenland and the Arctic glaciers has caused the Netherlands to rise by about 4 centimetres over the last century. Riccardo Riva has been studying the effects of moving water masses from one place to another.
