The "Xiguang-1" hyperspectral remote sensing satellite captured direct images of the earthquake disaster site in Shigatse, Tibet.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tingri County, Shigatse City, Tibet.

This earthquake occurred within the Lhasa Block of the Tibetan Plateau. The area near the epicenter is influenced by the pushing of the Indian Plate, the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, and crustal thickening. The southern part of the Tibetan Plateau is simultaneously subjected to north-south compression and east-west extensional stress, resulting in the development of two typical faults within the plateau: one trending near north-south and the other near east-west. Under intense crustal deformation, the Lhasa Block and its surrounding fault zones experienced particularly strong activity.

Following the earthquake in Shigatse, Tibet, the "Xiguang-1" hyperspectral remote sensing satellite responded actively, arranging for satellite imaging of the Earth and conducting hyperspectral satellite monitoring of the disaster area.The Xiguang-1 02 satellite passed over and took pictures of the Dingri earthquake disaster area at 12:57 Beijing time on January 9, 2025. The hyperspectral ground resolution was 40 meters and the imaging swath was 80 kilometers wide.The focus of the photography is on Cuoguo Township, Quluo Township, and the western extension area. By acquiring hyperspectral remote sensing data of the disaster area, it is possible to analyze the impact of the earthquake on surface buildings, vegetation, soil, water bodies, etc., and thus assess disaster losses and relief needs.

Photo taken at 12:57 PM on January 9, 2025, in Cuoguo Township, Dingri County, Shigatse City, Tibet.

Characteristics of hyperspectral remote sensing technology

Hyperspectral remote sensing is a cutting-edge field of remote sensing technology. It utilizes many narrow electromagnetic wave bands to specifically acquire relevant data, containing rich spatial, radiometric, and spectral information. Hyperspectral remote sensing technology is characterized by its multiple bands, narrow spectral range, and continuous bands, enabling it to provide information from dozens or even hundreds of bands for each pixel. This allows it to finely distinguish ground features and atmospheric composition, creating unique information like a fingerprint.

Assisting in disaster monitoring and prevention

Disaster loss assessment:Hyperspectral remote sensing satellites can acquire detailed spectral characteristics of surface cover in disaster areas. By analyzing these characteristics, the extent of disaster losses, such as collapsed houses and damaged roads, can be accurately assessed.

Secondary disaster monitoring:Earthquakes often trigger secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides. Hyperspectral remote sensing satellites can monitor changes in the geological environment of disaster areas in real time, promptly detect potential secondary disaster hazards, and provide a scientific basis for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Allocation of relief supplies:Analysis of hyperspectral imagery data of disaster areas can provide insights into traffic conditions, population distribution, and other information, offering strong support for the allocation of relief supplies. For example, it can determine which areas urgently need relief supplies and which roads are passable by rescue vehicles.

Advantages of hyperspectral remote sensing satellites

Multiple satellite monitoring systems played a crucial role in monitoring the earthquake disaster in Shigatse, Tibet. They not only provided a scientific basis for disaster loss assessment but also offered strong support for secondary disaster monitoring and the allocation of relief supplies. With the continuous development of remote sensing technology, hyperspectral remote sensing satellites will play an even more important role in future disaster monitoring, contributing significantly to the safety and development of human society.