Geological remote sensing in aerospace and time. Introduction

Abstract

The more one considers the earth sciences these days, the more one realises that any view that falls short of global runs the risk of being short-sighted. This article sketches the position of remote sensing in geology following several points of observation: 1) Earth scientists are not blind but when it comes to geology are we not all blind? 2) We all come to whatever particular earth science problem we have to tackle with a background of scientific knowledge. 3) Interpretations are ephemeral. Our specialist windows each bring us a partial view of the hidden subsurface. If we are wise we share our fields of expertise so that the earth sciences can best deliver their potential benefits to global society.