Abstract
This work focuses on the use of terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) in the characterization of volcanic environments. A TLS survey of the Vesuvius crater (Somma-Vesuvius volcano, Italy) allows the construction of an accurate, georeferenced digital model of different sectors of the crater. In each sector, the intensity is computed for each point as the ratio between the emitted amplitude and the received one, normalized to the maximum signal, providing the radiometric information. Moreover, the RGB colours of the observed surfaces can be captured by means of a calibrated camera mounted on the TLS instrument. In this way, multi-band information is given, since a long range TLS operates in the near infrared band. The reflectance and RGB data are compared in order to verify if they are independent enough to be complementary for model analysis and inspection. Results show that the integration of RGB and intensity data can fully characterize this volcanic environment. The collected data are able to discriminate different volcanic deposits and to detect their stratigraphic features. In addition, our results shed light on the spatial extension of landslides and on the dimensions of rock fall/flow deposits affecting the inner walls of the crater. The remotely acquired TLS information from the Vesuvius crater is compared with that from a sedimentary terrain (coal-shale quarry) to detect possible similarities/differences between these two geological environments.
Highlights
The terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) is generally used for the geometrical and kinematical characterization of surfaces affected by deformation allowing the definition of very accurate digital models from remotely acquired data
The Somma-Vesuvius volcano consists of two main edifices: the Somma edifice, which is affected by a summit caldera, and the Vesuvius cone (1281 m a.s.l.), which is located within the caldera
The integration of TSL data and the geological knowledge of the Vesuvius volcanic crater allow the recognition of some patterns: dark zones highlight lava blocks, data belonging to the second interval seems to be familiar with the contact area between different lithologies, and the higher values are probably due to pyroclastic materials of different size
Summary
The terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) is generally used for the geometrical and kinematical characterization of surfaces affected by deformation allowing the definition of very accurate digital models from remotely acquired data. The accuracy is mainly related to the internal telemeter efficiency in time measuring, leading to a precise range definition, whereas the resolution depends on spot size and on the level of data overlapping, based on the choice of the calibrated angular grid. The RGB and TLS-based data can be merged by means of specific software leading to a colored point cloud or a textured digital model. Since the TLS is an active instrument, the acquisition is independent from light conditions Both the intensity and RGB data can be useful in point cloud inspection for edge detection and in the identification of different materials (Kurazume et al, 2002). The crater of Vesuvius (Italy) is the test site selected to investigate the peculiarities of a volcanic environment
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