Geoscience Applications of High Resolution Topography

June 19-20, 2017
Laboratoire Géoazur Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Université Côte d’Azur

Instructors
Christopher Crosby, UNAVCO
Chelsea Scott, Arizona State University

Organizers
Isabelle Manighetti, Géoazur
Christopher Crosby, UNAVCO

Overview
High resolution topographic (HRT) data from lidar and photogrammetry has become an important tool for geoscientists in a range of research areas including active tectonics, geomorphology, and natural hazards. This two day course will highlight HRT science examples, and provide beginner to intermediate training on lidar, and structure from motion photogrammetry technology, as well as point cloud data processing and analysis. The course will include lectures and guided hands-on demonstrations.

Software
Please plan to download and install the following software packages before you arrive.

LAStools: LAStools is software for processing point cloud data in the LAS format. Download this zip file and unzip it to someplace convenient on your computer. Ideally you place the software in a directory such as C:/LAStools/ NOTE: LAStools is only available for Windows. You can use Wine to run LAStools on Mac OSX, or partner with a colleague during the course who is using a Windows computer.

CloudCompare: An open source 3D point cloud and mesh processing software. Downloads for Windows, Mac OSX, Linux.

Agisoft PhotoScan: Commercial structure from motion photogrammetry software. We will use the software in demo mode during the course. Installers for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux available.

AGENDA

MONDAY JUNE 19th

Time

Topic (Instructor)
9:00-12:30

- Welcome, introduction to the course and participants, logistics
- Science examples and movations for high resolution topography (Crosby)
- Differential topography (Scott)
- Introduction to laser scanning technology (Crosby)

13:30-17:00

- An introduction to point cloud data using LAStools - hands on (Crosby)
- Sample data: Auckland, New Zealand Sky Tower (LAZ)
- Wairarapa, NZ sample (BP331822.laz)
- OpenTopography and online access to point clouds and derivatives (Crosby)

TUESDAY JUNE 20th

Time

Topic (Instructor)
9:00-12:30

- Introduction to structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry & practical considerations (Crosby)
- SfM processing using Agisoft PhotoScan Pro - hands-on (Crosby)
- Sample data: EMC EQ 30 image dataset (.zip)
- SfM YouTube tutorial video
- Structure from motion photogrammetry guide (from UNAVCO)
- Structure from motion processing in Agioft PhotoScan Pro guide (from UNAVCO)

13:30-17:00

- Topographic change detection & the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm (Scott)
- Sample data: pre-event LAS file | post-event LAZ file
- Excel transformation & rotation exercise
- Kumamoto EQ, Japan, displacement from differential topography exercise in CloudCompare (Scott)