In this study, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) methods are combined with optical ones for earthquake damage assessment after the 2023 Turkey earthquake. First, a change detection scheme, that exploits both SAR and optical images is applied to detect and classify the damaged buildings. Then, the SAR and optical data are combined using a data fusion step based on the k-means algorithm, to improve the reliability and accuracy of the damage assessment map. Results for the city of Kahramanmaras, and undertaken over images collected before and after the event with the X-band COSMO-SkyMed-Second Generation (CSG) SAR sensor and PLANETSCOPE (PLTS) optical sensor rely on demonstrating the effectiveness of the joint use of SAR and optical change detection methods in detecting damage to buildings and infrastructure that can be used for disaster management authorities to prioritize rescue and relief operations in the affected regions.

The THERESA (THErmal infRarEd SBG Algorithms) project aims to enhance algorithms for processing Thermal InfraRed data from the SBG-TIR (Surface Biology and Geology – Thermal InfraRed) mission. Starting from state-of-the-art algorithms, THERESA takes in account the mission's technical features to develop algorithms exploiting diverse spectral channels. During the two years lifetime of the project, THERESA will contribute to enhance the investigation of terrestrial phenomena by using both visible and thermal images. The thematic areas that will benefit from SBG-TIR data range from the vegetation analysis to the volcanic eruptions and fires monitoring. Several parameters will be achieved such as the estimation of ash and SO2emissions from volcanoes, the surface temperature, the detection of hotspots as well as the FRP (Fire Radiative Power) in case of HTE’s (High Temperature Events). THERESA's innovation lies in algorithms advancements; the project offers a 360-degree support to the SBG-TIR mission.

This work aims to present the VULCAIN mission study to design and characterize a new CubeSat mission for Earth Observation dedicated to volcanoes. The project is supervised by the European Space Agency (ESA) and involves six Italian partners. The project involves the construction of two 12U nanosatellites flying in formation. Each satellite embarks two instruments onboard: a COTS VIS-NIR camera and a multispectral thermal camera with four channels in the 8-12 µm spectral range. The main scientific objectives are to measure the Land Surface Temperature (LST) and to combine VIS-TIR data to enhance the observation on volcanic areas by adding morphological analysis.

In this work, we compare the long time series of ground deformation by using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data and the one of Land Surface Temperature (LST) by means of optical satellite data in the thermal spectral range at two different sites: the Vulcano Island (Sicily) and the Campi Flegrei caldera (Pozzuoli, Naples). Particular attention is given to the recent gradual unrest of Vulcano started in September 2021 and to the unrest phase of Campi Flegrei started in 2000 (with an inflation from 2011 to date greater than 1 meter in the maximum deformation area along the coastline [1]) and still ongoing.

A quick analysis of gaseous content in volcanic plumes is possible by using hyperspectral remote sensing data. In the present work, an algorithm to calculate CO2columnar abundance in tropospheric volcanic plumes is applied to two volcanic test sites. The algorithm is based on the CIBR (Continuum Interpolated Band Ratio) remote sensing technique which exploits spectroscopy measurements by analyzing gases absorptions features in the SWIR (Short Wave InfraRed) spectral range. Specifically, PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) hyperspectral satellite acquisitions are used for CO2retrieval purposes. The PRISMA space mission was launched by the ASI (Italian Space Agency) on March 22, 2019; the on board spectrometer is able to acquire images of the Earth in the VNIR ($0.4-1.0\ \ \mu \mathrm{m}$) and SWIR ($0.9-2.5\ \ \mu \mathrm{m}$) spectral ranges continuously, with a ground spatial resolution of 30 m. The inversion technique is applied to two Italian test sites: the Stromboli volcano and the Solfatara-Pisciarelli area (in the caldera of Campi Flegrei). The results show the capability of the method to detect and estimate strong CO2concentrations at a local spatial scale. While the satellite data provide a wide view of the emissions, in situ measurements are able to achieve accurate estimates of gases concentrations at very high spatial resolution. Acquisitions by a miniature multi-Gas analysis system, mounted on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), are also considered. The multi-Gas instrument can measure H2O, CO2, H2S and SO2gases. Specifically, data of carbon dioxide concentrations acquired on the Solfatara-Pisciarelli test site are here presented.

The recent PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) space mission, launched by the ASI (Italian Space Agency) on March 2019, brought in orbit a hyperspectral sensor (in the range$0.4-2.5 \mu\mathrm{m})$and a panchromatic camera with a spatial resolution of 30 and 5 meters, respectively. The PRISMA data are available for free (under license) and represent a unique orbiting source of hyperspectral data to investigate and analyze geophysical/geological phenomena. PRISMA works as the precursor of the next generation of ESA-SENTINEL satellites. In this work, a series of possible applications of PRISMA hyperspectral data are presented also considering data fusion with the panchromatic camera and the integration with other available satellite data as from Landsat and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection).

Current EO satellite missions providing imagery in the VIS- TIR region at high spatial resolution offer the possibility to estimate a number of important parameters to monitor volcanic activities at worldwide level. Therefore, space missions contribute in understanding the ongoing phenomena to mitigate the volcanic risk when population and infrastructures are exposed. New hyperspectral and thermal missions which could provide images at high spatial and temporal resolution are under study in cooperation between Space Agencies (NASA, ASI, ESA etc.) and hopefully will improve the monitoring capabilities of active volcanoes in highly populated areas. In the present work we describe several results obtained in the last years by EO satellite missions for the volcanic risk. While the satellite data provide a wide description of scenes, in situ and proximal measurements are crucial to retrieve gas emissions and analyze surface characteristics at very high spatial resolution. Data acquired from drones (UAV) and thermal cameras in volcanic areas are presented and discussed. Moreover, this work shows the need of validation process for satellite products comparing with measurements collected during field campaigns.

Recently, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have agreed to carry out a joint study for an Earth Observation scientific mission in the infrared spectral range (MWIR-LWIR). A mission of this type is considered of high priority by the NASA's “Decadal Survey” plan, as well as being one of the priorities of the future Sentinel of the Copernicus program. Furthermore, an MWIR-LWIR system with spatial resolutions better than 90 m (target 50 m) could represent a formidable integration of the observational capacity of the ASI PRISMA and SHALOM missions, as it would allow observing the entire wavelength range from Visible to thermal IR and consequently expanding the spectrum of scientific applications of the national satellite system. INGV in 2018-2019 in the frame of ASI contract has carried out a review of scientific and technical requirements for a new EO “Thermal Mission” which my support a large number of applications.

In June 2019 the ESA organized the airborne SurfSense campaign in the frame of the study of Copernicus candidate High Spatio-Temporal Resolution Land Surface Temperature Monitoring (LSTM) mission study. Parco delle Biancane was added as secondary target since the occurrence of a field campaign organized by INGV aimed to measure surface temperature using data acquired by different sensors at different spatial resolutions: Earth Observation (EO) data from the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS, [1]) and thermal images acquired by the FlyBit drone. In addition to these data, the airborne sensor Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer (HyTES) was flown over the area. Our goal is to test the possibility to integrate data at different observation scales and to use the proximal measurements to better understand the thermal structure, the interaction of the environment in test areas and to validate the methodology for estimating the surface temperature by using EO data.