Space technologies are helping scientists unlock new insights into one of the world's most remarkable volcanic landscapes. A team from the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST), a UNESCO Category 2 Centre specializing in applying space technologies to the conservation and management of World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, and UNESCO Global Geoparks, recently completed a five‑day remote sensing survey and geological heritage assessment at Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark. The project produced high‑resolution data to support conservation, monitoring, and UNESCO revalidation efforts.

Led by Associate Professor SHI Pilong of the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS), the HIST team conducted comprehensive spatial mapping of the geopark's 14 volcanoes, which preserve nearly two million years of volcanic and geological evolution. Located in northeastern China, Wudalianchi is internationally recognized for its exceptionally well‑preserved volcanic landscape. Often described as a "natural volcano museum", the geopark features 14 volcanoes and five interconnected barrier lakes that record the history of Quaternary volcanic activity.

By combining satellite remote sensing, aerial photogrammetry, and terrestrial laser scanning, researchers collected high‑precision spatial data and generated centimetre‑level three‑dimensional terrain models, creating a detailed digital archive of the volcanic complex.

Many of Wudalianchi's key geological features are difficult to document through conventional field surveys because dense vegetation obscures lava platforms, eruption structures, and other volcanic landforms. By integrating multiple remote sensing techniques, the team was able to penetrate vegetation cover and accurately identify the spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of these features. The resulting datasets fill gaps in the digital documentation of the geopark and provide a scientific basis for future monitoring and conservation.

The survey also demonstrated the value of remote sensing for ecosystem assessment. Using multi‑source Earth observation data, researchers analysed vegetation succession and ecological recovery across volcanic terrains, revealing spatial patterns in the long‑term interaction between volcanic landforms and plant communities. Covering the geopark's entire 790‑square‑kilometer area, the survey greatly improved efficiency compared with traditional ground investigations and supports the development of an integrated 'space‑air‑ground' monitoring system for heritage management.

The project marks a new stage in the decade‑long partnership between HIST and Wudalianchi Scenic Area Administration. Since establishing a training base at the geopark in 2015, HIST has collaborated with local authorities on satellite‑based environmental monitoring, ecological planning, and digital management systems for protected areas. Through these efforts, the partners have gradually built an integrated monitoring network to support the protection of both geological heritage and biodiversity.

The newly acquired data will contribute to UNESCO's periodic revaidation process for Wudalianchi UNESCO Global Geopark. HIST and the Wudalianchi Scenic Area Administration also plan to deepen cooperation in volcanic heritage monitoring, climate change research, and international training programs, with the goal of creating a model site for applying space technologies to geopark conservation.

Researchers operate a drone for surveying. (Image by AIRCAS)