A new MOOC to understand and anticipate natural hazards



Volcanoes, glaciers, earthquakes, rifts… How can we monitor and better understand natural hazards ? What can satellites tell us about the processes shaping our planet ?


The new “Remote Sensing of Natural Hazards” (ORISAT) MOOC offers an introduction to the use of satellite data to study and monitor natural hazards.

Over 7 weeks, researchers will guide participants through the latest approaches in remote sensing, from satellite imagery and data processing to image correlation, photogrammetry, SAR interferometry and time series. The course will also explore how these methods can be combined to study earthquakes, volcanoes, land movements and glaciers, as well as the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and satellite data in early warning systems.

No prior knowledge is required. Whether you are a student, researcher or simply curious about natural hazards and satellite-based Earth observation, this MOOC is open to all.


The MOOC in practice

  • Duration : 7 weeks
  • Workload : 1–2 hours per week
  • Languages : French, English and Spanish
  • Format : Video courses, transcripts, subtitles, self-assessment quizzes and discussion forum
  • Platform : France Université Numérique (FUN)
  • Course start : 5 October 2026
  • Registration closes : 20 November 2026
  • Course ends : 27 November 2026

Scientific and teaching team

  • Virgine Pinel
  • Pascal Lacroix
  • Marie-Pierre Doin
  • Erwan Pathier
  • James Hollingsworth
  • Hugo Sanchez
  • Anne Socquet
  • Sophie Giffard
  • Léa Pousse






The MOOC has been developed by 15 teachers and researchers from LISTIC, GET, ISTerre and IGE, with the support of UGA, OSUG, IRD and ISDeform.


Registration is open from 29 June 2026.