Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
volume calculation of the whole resulting model. In the first step, the tridimensional model
was trimmed by removing the points lying outside the analyzed area, in order to reduce its
originally large size. Concurrently, the model was scaled down in order to be more easily
handled by the software. All these steps were carried out within the Cyclon platform, the
proprietary software of the scanner, which was specially designed to handle the point-
clouds in a 3D environment. The large number of axial and cross-sections of the model were
produced at the same time, together with the various graphic, image and video exports.
The stage of interpolating the scanner-produced points, to the aim of achieving a Digital
Elevation Model, was carried out within the GIS platform (using the ArcGIS suite). Based on
the resulting DEM, several derivates were produced (contour lines, volume calculations,
various graphs and diagrams etc.) The proprietary software of Leica is also providing export
functionality, but the options are more oriented toward GIS and CAD formats. In order to
reduce to minimum the error margin of the volume calculations for the three models (of
three successive years), which is the definitive element for outlining the timeline of change
between the three scans, we used the Cyclon software. Following this procedure, there were
no major, visible differences between the employed calculation methods.
The Cucuteni gully was selected for the present research because it is extremely active. The
area occupied by the gully is very sparsely covered by vegetation, and the trees are virtually
absent; therefore, nothing prevented volumetric measuring. The very sparse shrub
vegetation was removed using the techniques made available by the dedicated software.
The reason behind the selection of the gully for our investigation was due to the fact that the
gullying process is affecting a very important archaeological site dating back to circa 5000
B.P. This made it easier to assess the rate of erosion over a period of great lengths.
Three consecutive measurements were performed at relatively equal intervals in 2008, 2009
and 2010 (Figure 8, 9, 10, 11). The last measurement was made in spring 2010 after a solid
Figure 8.
The 3D scanner in action on the Cucuteni-Baiceni Ravine
