Geodetic Imaging Using Optical Systems

We review methods to measure the morphological evolution of the Earth's surface using data from optical remote sensing systems acquired at different epochs. We describe the principles of these methods and practical implementations for the exploitation of light detection and ranging and passive optical imagery. The techniques are based on the registration and matching of the different datasets with geodetic accuracy. In principle, the matching problem can be solved in 2-D or in 3-D. We illustrate the potentials and limitations of these techniques through a review of applications to the measurement of surface displacement produced by earthquakes, ice flow, landsides, and sand dune migration.