What are the applications of thermal infrared remote sensing?

Thermal infrared remote sensing is focused on detecting and analyzing the emission of thermal energy (or heat) from Earth's surface, which is essential for various applications in environmental monitoring and assessment. One of the primary applications is assessing surface temperatures, which can provide critical information about land cover types, the health of vegetation, and thermal patterns in urban areas.

Additionally, detecting wildfires is another significant application of thermal infrared sensing. These sensors can identify areas of increased temperature that may indicate a fire's presence, allowing for quicker responses to wildfire outbreaks and contributing to more effective fire management strategies. Thermal infrared remote sensing can evaluate the intensity and spread of fires, assisting in understanding their impact on the environment.

The other options do not align with the primary applications of thermal infrared remote sensing. For instance, monitoring sound pollution requires acoustic measurements rather than thermal data, mapping geological features typically relies on other types of remote sensing methods, and analyzing atmospheric pressure changes is more suited for meteorological instruments. Thus, the focus on temperature assessment and wildfire detection highlights the unique strengths of thermal infrared remote sensing in environmental monitoring.