Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Use of Terrestrial 3D Laser Scanner
in Cartographing and Monitoring
Relief Dynamics and Habitation
Space from Various Historical Periods
Gheorghe Romanescu, Vasile Cotiugă and Andrei Asăndulesei
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/47776
1. Introduction
Nowadays, modern cartography employs various techniques and methods, which were
deemed inconceivable just two decades ago. The GIS technology is particularly important
among these, a technology that advanced cartography to the highest standards of graphical
(visual) representation. 3D laser scanning is one of the most notable new cartography
techniques that is part of this "new wave". This instrument, specifically a Leica LIDAR
scanner, capable of monitoring land dynamics with an accuracy of 1 mm/1 mm from a
distance of 300 m, as well as its use, are the subject of the present paper. In the field of
physical geography and geo-archaeology, the 3D laser scanner can be used to map and
monitor soil degradation processes (ravine-creation, surface erosion, landslides, etc.), the
erosion and aggradation of a river's channel and valley, shore and slope processes, beaches
and escarpments, dunes, caves and man-made excavations (including salt mines), iceberg
dynamics, archaeological sites and the spatial position of the archaeological finds, heritage
buildings and structures, works of art (sculptures, reliefs, etc.) etc.
Even though the 3D laser scanning technique is relatively old, i.e. from the '90s, it has
enjoyed increased use in physical geography and in geo-archaeology only during the last
few years. Most of the cartography projects employing the 3D laser scanner focus on the
morphology and dynamics of the slope geomorphological processes, as well as on river
bed and shoreline dynamics. Up until the advances in technology allowed the 3D
scanners to become widely available and practical enough for cartographic use, countless
attempts to use "modern" cartographic methods were made, but, in most cases, they
proved to be inexact and cumbersome. Therefore, most of the studies employed the
 
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