Geological structure measurement by LiDAR

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Geological structure measurement by LiDAR technology is a remote sensing method applied in structural geology. It enables monitoring and characterisation of rock bodies.^[1] This method's typical use is to acquire high resolution structural and deformational data for identifying geological hazards risk, such as assessing rockfall risks or studying pre-earthquake deformation signs.

Geological structures are the results of tectonic deformations, which control landform distribution patterns. These structures include folds, fault planes, size, persistence, spatial variations, and numbers of the rock discontinuities in a particular region.^[1] These discontinuity features significantly impact slope stability, causing slope failures or separating a rock mass into intact rock blocks (rockfall).^[2] Some displaced blocks along faults are signs of earthquakes.

Conventionally, geotechnical engineers carried out rock discontinuity studies manually. In post geological hazards studies, such as rockfall, the rockfall source areas are dangerous and are difficult to access, severely hindering the ability to carry out detailed structural measurements and volumetric calculations necessary for hazard assessment.^[3] By using LiDAR, geological structures can be evaluated remotely, enabling a 3-D investigation of slopes with virtual outcrops.

LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technique that obtains precise 3-D information and distance.^[4] The laser receptor calculates the distance by the travelling time between emitting and receiving laser pulses.^[4] LiDAR produces topographic maps, and it is useful for assessing the natural environment.

^ ^a ^b Abellán, Antonio; Oppikofer, Thierry; Jaboyedoff, Michel; Rosser, Nicholas J.; Lim, Michael; Lato, Matthew J. (2013-11-13). "Terrestrial laser scanning of rock slope instabilities". Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 39 (1): 80–97. Bibcode:2014ESPL...39...80A. doi:10.1002/esp.3493. ISSN 0197-9337. S2CID 128876331.
^ Akturk, Emre; Altunel, Arif Oguz (2019). "Accuracy assessment of a low-cost UAV derived digital elevation model (DEM) in a highly broken and vegetated terrain". Measurement. 136: 382–386. Bibcode:2019Meas..136..382A. doi:10.1016/j.measurement.2018.12.101. ISSN 0263-2241. S2CID 116823352.
^ Sturzenegger, Matthieu; Willms, David; Pate, Kimberley; Johnston, Brent (2013). "Experience using terrestrial remote sensing techniques for rock slope performance assessment". Proceedings of the 2013 International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth. pp. 775–782. doi:10.36487/acg_rep/1308_52_sturzenegger. ISBN 978-0-9870937-5-2.
^ ^a ^b HESS, MONA, "3D LASER SCANNING", Digital Techniques for Documenting and Preserving Cultural Heritage, Arc Humanities Press, pp. 199–206, doi:10.2307/j.ctt1xp3w16.19, ISBN 978-1-942401-35-3, retrieved 2020-10-06

[:17-1] Abellán, Antonio; Oppikofer, Thierry; Jaboyedoff, Michel; Rosser, Nicholas J.; Lim, Michael; Lato, Matthew J. (2013-11-13). "Terrestrial laser scanning of rock slope instabilities". Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 39 (1): 80–97. Bibcode:2014ESPL...39...80A. doi:10.1002/esp.3493. ISSN 0197-9337. S2CID 128876331.

[:1-2] Akturk, Emre; Altunel, Arif Oguz (2019). "Accuracy assessment of a low-cost UAV derived digital elevation model (DEM) in a highly broken and vegetated terrain". Measurement. 136: 382–386. Bibcode:2019Meas..136..382A. doi:10.1016/j.measurement.2018.12.101. ISSN 0263-2241. S2CID 116823352.

[:24-3] Sturzenegger, Matthieu; Willms, David; Pate, Kimberley; Johnston, Brent (2013). "Experience using terrestrial remote sensing techniques for rock slope performance assessment". Proceedings of the 2013 International Symposium on Slope Stability in Open Pit Mining and Civil Engineering. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth. pp. 775–782. doi:10.36487/acg_rep/1308_52_sturzenegger. ISBN 978-0-9870937-5-2.

[:18-4] HESS, MONA, "3D LASER SCANNING", Digital Techniques for Documenting and Preserving Cultural Heritage, Arc Humanities Press, pp. 199–206, doi:10.2307/j.ctt1xp3w16.19, ISBN 978-1-942401-35-3, retrieved 2020-10-06

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