Satellite Remote Sensing Blog

Discover how climate change is accelerating subsidence and how satellite monitoring aids in tracking and managing these risks effectively

Discover 5 fascinating facts about satellite remote sensing and InSAR that reveal how this technology revolutionises infrastructure monitoring and decision-making.

Explore how AI and emerging technologies, combined with geotechnical interpretation, are reshaping risk management in this expert interview with Dr. Divya Sekhar Vaka and discover what lies ahead for the future of earth observation and satellite remote sensing.

Increased flooding, extreme weather, and prolonged heatwaves are placing growing strain on bridges and road networks worldwide. Combined with ageing infrastructure and rising usage demands, the risks are becoming more complex and harder to detect. The collapse of the Hintze Ribeiro Bridge in Portugal in 2001, caused by unseen riverbed erosion that undermined its foundations, stands as a powerful example of how quickly structural vulnerabilities can escalate into catastrophe.

Tailings dam monitoring requires more than periodic inspections—it demands continuous, large-scale visibility of ground. However, traditional monitoring methods often lack the continuity and spatial coverage needed to deliver a complete understanding of ground behaviour. Historical datasets provide a continuous, high-resolution record of deformation, revealing trends that short-term monitoring cannot capture. Using satellite-based radar technology , InSAR (short for Interfer

Discover how advanced satellite-based InSAR technology delivers precise, continuous rail deformation monitoring, enabling early detection of ground movement, reduced risk, and smarter maintenance planning.

Satellite monitoring is transforming how engineers understand and manage ground behaviour and risk. But raw satellite data only becomes truly valuable when interpreted through a geotechnical lens — turning numbers into actionable insights for risk assessment, asset management, and safety. In the first instalment of our expert Q&A series, Geofem Founder, Dr. Andrew Lees CEng FICE — a geotechnical engineer with extensive experience in both numerical modelling and satellite-ba

In January 2026, a major landslide occurred near Niscemi in southern Sicily, where heavy rainfall associated with Storm Harry triggered the collapse of an approximately 4 km section of cliff. The event developed rapidly at the surface, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and triggering the evacuation of over 1000 residents. Using InSAR to detect historical ground motion trends Using InSAR , Geofem analysed long-term ground deformation patterns to better understa

A dam holding back billions of tonnes of water is a symbol of immense power. But what if its greatest threat isn't a dramatic earthquake, but an unnoticed shift in the ground no bigger than the thickness of a coin? For the world’s critical hydropower infrastructure, this early invisible danger is one of the most serious risks. These tiny movements—a slow sinking of the ground or a subtle deformation in the concrete—are key indicators of potential geotechnical or structural

In the evolving mining landscape, the resilience of tailings infrastructure against climate change is paramount. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the safety of mining operations is increasingly scrutinised. Given the large volumes of reactive or contaminated material stored in TSFs, any loss of containment can result in major environmental damage and high-consequence financial repercussions. The introduction of the Global Industr

As climate change intensifies, sandstorms are growing stronger and more frequent, turning once-passable roads and railways into shifting obstacles. Across the world’s arid and semi-arid regions, desertification is advancing, and with it, thousands of kilometres of transportation networks face mounting disruption, rising maintenance costs, and serious safety risks. The challenge: confronting sand to ensure infrastructure resilience Sand accumulation on transportation corri

Hutton Hub – Hertfordshire, United Kingdom The University of Hertfordshire’s new Hutton Hub building, designed for the Student Union,...

Dubai - Fujairah Freeway, UAE The Dubai-Fujairah Freeway, a 45 km corridor through the rugged Hajar Mountains, required innovative...

The Challenge of Monitoring in Remote and Vegetated Areas Monitoring ground displacement is crucial for infrastructure management,...

Kouris Dam - Cyprus The 110m Kouris Dam near Limassol, Cyprus, is crucial for water management. Ensuring its structural integrity is...

Robroyston - Glasgow Scotland The Robroyston Station road embankment faced major geotechnical challenges due to soft peat pockets,...

City of Dreams - Limassol, Cyprus The City of Dreams Mediterranean, opened in summer 2022, aiming to be Europe’s largest integrated...

Ancient History - Modern Technology The DOMISI project, backed by the European Space Agency (ESA), addresses archaeological site...