Assessment of geomorphic features with high resolution LIDAR and optical data - case studies in the Eastern Alps
In recent times, high resolution DEM’s derived from LIDAR/airborne
laserscanning data (LIDAR: Light detection and ranging) are becoming
more interesting for geomorphic applications due to unique potential
and area wide availability. This article discusses the feasibility
of last pulse laserscanning data for detection, visualisation and
interpretation of geomorphic indicators for mass movements of all
kinds. The option to “eliminate” vegetation by using last pulse data
and filtering to achieve a Digital Ground Model (DGM) in contrary
to Digital Surface Models (DSM) derived from photogrammetry is a
crucial advantage. This study includes several test sites reperesenting
a wide range of different geological situations in the Austrian provinces
of Vorarlberg and Tyrol as well as the Italian province of South
Tyrol/Alto Adige. Due to the fact that geomorphic features are detectable
at a different rate in varying spatial resolutions and scales, a
comparison between laserscanning and optical data was carried out.
First results are presented to show the variety of information which
is detectable visually as well as a first assessment of delineation
of features with the aid of automated approaches such as terrain
analysis.