Remote sensing’s use in disaster research: a review

This paper examines articles published between 1972‐1998 that utilize remote sensing in hazard and disaster research. Delineating trends in the production and content of the articles may encourage those who are performing or contemplating such research to alter and/or expand their analyses in new or alternate directions. The review of articles indicates that the technique is primarily used to detect, identify, map, survey and monitor existing hazards and/or their effects. Secondary goals are to provide damage assessments, improve planning, or provide data for mitigation, preparation, relief, response, and warning efforts. Articles addressing hazard/disaster process modeling have rarely been published. It is suggested that if remote sensing is to be used more effectively to reduce unnecessary suffering from damaging environmental events, hazard and/or disaster process models be incorporated into future research.