Rockfalls systematic monitoring using UAVs: the case of Zachlorou village

Abstract

Rockfalls clusters can be systematic monitored using many different in situ or remote sensing methods: topographical survey measurements with total stations or GPS, mapping with terrestrial laser or photogrammetry using airphotos or high resolution satellite images. As the costs of the aerial photo campaign and the acquisition of very high resolution satellite data are quite expensive the use of cameras on board Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) could be an identical solution for repeated campaigns and systematic monitoring of a rockfall. During the last years UAVs have proved their efficiency for remote sensing monitoring of small areas. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a cheap but effective solution for an active rockfall monitoring. We present the first experimental results of the synergistic use of UAV and GPS measurements for a rockfall monitoring in Zachlorou village near to the city of Kalavrita, Western Greece. Three UAV flights with RGB, multispectral and thermal cameras were performed. Very accurate digital airphotos, high accuracy DSM and thermal mosaics were produced and the results are presented in the current study.