Three- and four-dimensional pore-scale imaging techniques have become an essential part of geosciences in the past years. With these imaging techniques, structures and processes can be visualized, evaluated, compared, modelled and understood on the basis of first physical principles on a large variety of scales (from nanometer to centimeters and decimeters). Many of the investigated features and parameters are of interdisciplinary interest or can add substantial new knowledge to many common assumptions. Moreover, modern imaging methods enable the performance of numerical experiments on more or less in situ morphological information of the investigated specimen. This significantly helps in understanding, for example, pore-scale processes/physics and pore–matrix interactions.

The aim of this special issue is to highlight different techniques, methods and applications of pore-scale tomography and pore-scale imaging of natural rocks and soils, providing a comprehensive perspective on recent and further developments (technical, numerical and methodical) in this area. Contributions from all fields of applied geosciences (e.g. geophysics, geology, rock mechanics, soil science, civil and environmental engineering, hydrology, volcanology and many others) using different 3-D/4-D imaging techniques such as the following on different scales are welcome:

• X-ray computed tomography (µ-CT; human CT);
• synchrotron computed tomography (Sr-CT);
• neutron tomography (NT);
• positron emission process tomography (PET);
• focused ion beam (FIB).

This may include qualitative as well as quantitative case studies, new technical and scientific applications, recommended (best) practices and original research papers. Contributions from interdisciplinary geoscientific imaging research are greatly appreciated.

To shorten the time needed for review, every submitting author is kindly asked to announce two appropriate reviewers (if possible) and to shortly describe why they would be a good choice. In addition, an appropriate selection of keywords will help the editorial board.