This volume provides in-depth coverage of the latest in remote sensing of hydrological extremes: both floods and droughts. The book is divided into two distinct sections – floods and droughts – and offers a variety of techniques for monitoring each. With rapid advances in computer modelling and observing systems, floods and droughts are studied with greater precision today than ever before. Land surface models, especially over the entire Continental United States, can map the hydrological cycle at kilometre and sub-kilometre scales. In the case of smaller areas there is even higher spatial resolution and the only limiting factor is the resolution of input data. In-situ sensors are automated and the data is directly relayed to the world wide web for many hydrological variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, surface temperature and heat fluxes. In addition, satellite remote sensing has advanced to providing twice a day repeat observations at kilometre to ten-kilometre spatial scales. We are at a critical juncture in the study of hydrological extremes, and the GPM and SMAP missions as well as the MODIS and GRACE sensors give us more tools and data than were ever available before. A global variety of chapter authors provides wide-ranging perspectives and case studies that will make this book an indispensable resource for researchers, engineers, and even emergency management and insurance professionals who study and/or manage hydrological extremes.

Hydrological extremes can harm society and ecosystems. However, many parts of the world lack in situ observations for quantifying hydrological extremes. Physically-based distributed hydrological model simulations driven by atmospheric simulations and remote sensing precipitation observations can be used to alleviate the issue of data scarcity in estimating return periods of hydrological extremes, but the short data record length associated with these datasets limits the application of traditional statistical methods (GEV/LP3/GPD) that rely on extreme value theory. Also, the errors in these indirect measurements or model simulations may lead to large biases in the quantification of extremes. The novel Metastatistical Extreme Value Distribution (MEVD) framework is proposed in this research as a mean of overcoming the limitations imposed by the short record length and obtaining more reliable assessment of high quantiles. The error estimates of MEVD applied on the data generated from satellite-based precipitation products and hydrological model simulations are thoroughly evaluated across different regions and hydroclimatic conditions. It is shown that MEVD is able to address the fundamental issue of data record limitations in deriving robust estimation of hydrological extremes, and alleviate the biases in hydrological model simulations of flood peaks. The application of the MEVD framework in conjunction with simulated streamflows and high-resolution precipitation products from remote sensing observations bring new opportunities for estimating hydrological extremes at global scale, including areas with limited or no in situ records.

Water resources are the most valuable resources of sustainable socio-economic development, which is significantly affected by climate change and human activities. Water resources assessment is an urgent need for implementation of the perfect water resources management, but it is difficult to accurately evaluate the quantity and quality of water resources, especially in arid regions and high-altitude regions with sparse gauged data. This book hosts 24 papers devoted to remote sensing in hydrology and water resources management, which summarizes the recent advancement in remote sensing technology for hydrology analysis such as satellite remote sensing for water resources management, water quality monitoring and evaluation using remote sensing data, remote sensing for detecting the global impact of climate extremes, the use of remote sensing data for improved calibration of hydrological models, and so on. In general, the book will contribute to promote the application of remote sensing technology in water resources.

This book highlights several opportunities that exist in satellite remote sensing of large-scale terrestrial hydrology. It lays bare the novel concept of remote sensing hydrology and demonstrates key applications of advance satellite technology and new methods in advancing our fundamental understanding of environmental systems. This includes, using state-of-the-art satellite hydrology missions like the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment and other multi-mission satellite systems as important tools that underpin water resources planning and accounting. This book discusses and demonstrates how the efficacy, simplicity, and sophistication in novel computing platforms for big earth observation data can help facilitate environmental monitoring and improve contemporary understanding of climate change impacts on freshwater resources. It also provides opportunities for practitioners and relevant government agencies to leverage satellite-based information in a transdisciplinary context to address several environmental issues affecting society. This book provides a general framework and highlights methods to help improve our understanding of hydrological processes and impact analysis from extreme events (e.g., droughts, floods) and climate change.

Extreme Hydrology and Climate Variability: Monitoring, Modelling, Adaptation and Mitigation is a compilation of contributions by experts from around the world who discuss extreme hydrology topics, from monitoring, to modeling and management. With extreme climatic and hydrologic events becoming so frequent, this book is a critical source, adding knowledge to the science of extreme hydrology. Topics covered include hydrometeorology monitoring, climate variability and trends, hydrological variability and trends, landscape dynamics, droughts, flood processes, and extreme events management, adaptation and mitigation. Each of the book's chapters provide background and theoretical foundations followed by approaches used and results of the applied studies. This book will be highly used by water resource managers and extreme event researchers who are interested in understanding the processes and teleconnectivity of large-scale climate dynamics and extreme events, predictability, simulation and intervention measures. - Presents datasets used and methods followed to support the findings included, allowing readers to follow these steps in their own research - Provides variable methodological approaches, thus giving the reader multiple hydrological modeling information to use in their work - Includes a variety of case studies, thus making the context of the book relatable to everyday working situations for those studying extreme hydrology - Discusses extreme event management, including adaption and mitigation

Extreme Hydroclimatic Events and Multivariate Hazards in a Changing Environment: A Remote Sensing Approach reviews multivariate hazards in a non-stationary environment, covering both short and long-term predictions from earth observations, along with long-term climate dynamics and models. The book provides a detailed overview of remotely sensed observations, current and future satellite missions useful for hydrologic studies and water resources engineering, and a review of hydroclimatic hazards. Given these tools, readers can improve their abilities to monitor, model and predict these extremes with remote sensing. In addition, the book covers multivariate hazards, like landslides, in case studies that analyze the combination of natural hazards and their impact on the natural and built environment. Finally, it ties hydroclimatic hazards into the Sendai Framework, providing another set of tools for reducing disaster impacts. - Emphasizes recent and future satellite missions to study, monitor and forecast hydroclimatic hazards - Provides a complete overview and differentiation of remotely sensed products that are useful for monitoring extreme hydroclimatic and related events - Covers real-life examples and applications of integrating remote sensing products to study complex multi-hydroclimatic hazards

Applications of remote sensing technology for monitoring and predicting water-related hazards Water-related hazards such as floods and droughts have serious impacts on society. Their incidence has increased in recent decades, a trend set to continue with ongoing climate change. Adaptation and mitigation measures require accurate detection, monitoring, and forecasting, much of which comes from remote sensing technologies. Remote Sensing of Water-Related Hazards takes an interdisciplinary approach, presenting recent advances in the available data, sensors, models, and indicators developed for monitoring and prediction. Volume highlights include: Progress in remote sensing of precipitation, storms, and tornados Different techniques for flood mapping, forecasting, and early warning Integrated approach for predicting flood and landslide cascading hazards Satellite monitoring of water cycle variation, water scarcity, and drought conditions Multi-indicator and multi-sensor approaches for quantifying drought impacts The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.