Terrestrial Laser Scanning: Applications in Geology and Geomorphology session at GSA 2010

TLS session at the 2010 Geological Society of America Meeting in Denver, CO announced. Via the GEOMORPHLIST:

Dear Colleague-

With apologies for cross-posting, I encourage you to submit abstracts for Session T.125 Terrestrial Laser Scanning: Applications in Geology and Geomorphology at GSA 2010 in Denver, Colorado. This session is co-sponsored by the GSA Engineering Geology Division and the GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division.

Contributions describing the applications of this technology, as well as discussions of critical issues associated with the implementation of TLS to geomorphic and geologic studies are encouraged.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Dennis M. Staley
U.S. Geological Survey
1711 Illinois St
Golden, CO 80401
303.273.8568
dstaley@usgs.gov

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Session Description:

The characterization of surface features at multiple spatial scales is fundamental to understanding the process-form interactions and to the progression of geomorphic and geologic research. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS, commonly referred to as terrestrial LiDAR) permits the development of topographic data at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions over large areas. TLS data in the form of point clouds and/or digital terrain models are used to assess topographic boundary conditions, enhance geomorphological mapping by identifying spatial patterns and morphometric changes in landforms at various spatial scales, quantify rates of sediment transport through morphological DTM of differences approaches, and serve as benchmark datasets to test numerical and physical models of surface processes. Repeat TLS surveys also permit the detection of fine scale changes in topography associated with geomorphic processes.

Advancing our understanding of geomorphic processes by incorporating TLS methodology presents new challenges: evaluation of scalar variability and dependencies in process-form relationships; linking process mechanics to high resolution topographic data, and data storage and transfer issues are also important considerations in TLS analytics. While similar topics have been previously addressed at professional conferences (e.g. the LiDAR oral and poster sessions at the previous GSA meeting), these sessions have largely focused upon airborne LiDAR applications. Very little discussion has centered on TLS applications. The growing popularity of TLS use in the geosciences necessitates a session devoted to the development of TLS methodology and data analysis in geology and geomorphology. This session seeks to bring together researchers using TLS to identify and discuss critical issues concerning the application of TLS in the geosciences, as well as highlight cutting edge research that utilizes this methodology to further our understanding of the processes that sculpt the surface of the Earth.