Abstract:This chapter presents examples of remote sensing studies for monitoring natural hazards related to ancient monuments and archaeological sites in Cyprus. Through these studies, the use of Earth Observation, and specifically the contribution of the European Copernicus Programme, is highlighted. Most of them have been carried out during the last years, within the framework of funded research projects. The various case studies presented in this chapter underscore Earth Observation's mingling with other remote sens… Show more
“…This communication study aims to demonstrate the potential use of the European Copernicus Programme, including its contributing missions, as a tool for rapid assessment, monitoring, and mapping purposes of flooded areas around archaeological sites, using Mohenjo-Daro as a case study. Even though the potential of the Copernicus Programme has been demonstrated for other natural and anthropogenic threats such as those of earthquakes [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], fires [15][16][17][18][19][20], erosion [21][22][23], urbanization [23][24][25][26][27], and technological hazards [28], floods remain a little discussed threat for heritage management. Even though the Copernicus Programme's active and passive sensors, namely the Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 sensors, respectively, provide medium-resolution images, their high temporal resolution and systematic observations can be used as an indicator for areas difficult to reach from the ground.…”
This communication study aims to provide evidence on how Sentinel sensors and Copernicus Programme’s contributing missions can support heritage endangered by natural hazards. The recent catastrophic floods of 2022 in Pakistan, mainly in the Indus Valley, threatened one of the most iconic sites within the country; thus, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-Daro was selected here as a case study. Even if the main area of the site was not directly affected by the floods but rather by the heavy rains, its landscape suffered profound damage. This study aims to report a combined remote-sensing methodology for a rapid assessment of the flooded areas around the site. By using Sentinel-1 radar data in combination with mid-resolution Sentinel-2 data and Planet Lab images, it was possible to accurately map the affected areas near the site. This approach can be used to better understand the extent of the affected areas and build a better recovery strategy. A near-real-time satellite-based investigation and observations combining various sensors and resolutions (Sentinel 1 and 2 images, as well as Planet Lab images) can provide valuable insights for local heritage managers.
“…This communication study aims to demonstrate the potential use of the European Copernicus Programme, including its contributing missions, as a tool for rapid assessment, monitoring, and mapping purposes of flooded areas around archaeological sites, using Mohenjo-Daro as a case study. Even though the potential of the Copernicus Programme has been demonstrated for other natural and anthropogenic threats such as those of earthquakes [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], fires [15][16][17][18][19][20], erosion [21][22][23], urbanization [23][24][25][26][27], and technological hazards [28], floods remain a little discussed threat for heritage management. Even though the Copernicus Programme's active and passive sensors, namely the Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2 sensors, respectively, provide medium-resolution images, their high temporal resolution and systematic observations can be used as an indicator for areas difficult to reach from the ground.…”
This communication study aims to provide evidence on how Sentinel sensors and Copernicus Programme’s contributing missions can support heritage endangered by natural hazards. The recent catastrophic floods of 2022 in Pakistan, mainly in the Indus Valley, threatened one of the most iconic sites within the country; thus, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-Daro was selected here as a case study. Even if the main area of the site was not directly affected by the floods but rather by the heavy rains, its landscape suffered profound damage. This study aims to report a combined remote-sensing methodology for a rapid assessment of the flooded areas around the site. By using Sentinel-1 radar data in combination with mid-resolution Sentinel-2 data and Planet Lab images, it was possible to accurately map the affected areas near the site. This approach can be used to better understand the extent of the affected areas and build a better recovery strategy. A near-real-time satellite-based investigation and observations combining various sensors and resolutions (Sentinel 1 and 2 images, as well as Planet Lab images) can provide valuable insights for local heritage managers.
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