Overview of remote sensing applications for assessing and monitoring natural hazards in Cyprus

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of using satellite remote sensing in Cyprus for monitoring and managing natural hazards and public health problems. Satellites are able to quantify physical phenomena associated with earthquakes, water (floods) and fires. Satellite sensors can be utilized by the scientific community for the remote sensing of natural hazards over a number of spatial and temporal scales. Indeed this study investigates the potential of monitoring and managing such natural hazards in Cyprus by providing several case studies in Cyprus as well as the potential of applying such satellite remote sensing techniques for assessing and monitoring natural hazards in Cyprus. The occurrence of natural hazards such as fires, flooding, droughts, earthquakes and atmospheric dust in Cyprus as well as the availability of cloud-free satellite images due to the location of the island makes the use of satellite remote sensing techniques ideal for monitoring natural hazards