Analyzing High Resolution Topography with TLS and SfM

Bruce Douglas (Indiana University-Bloomington)
Kate Shervais (UNAVCO)
Chris Crosby (EarthScope Consortium )

With contributions from J. Ramon Arrowsmith, Marin Clark,
Nathan Niemi, David Phillips, Nicholas Pinter
Editor: Beth Pratt-Sitaula (EarthScope Consortium)

This material was developed and reviewed through the GETSI curricular materials development process. (view details)

This material was developed and reviewed through the GETSI curricular materials development process. This rigorous, structured process includes:

team-based development to ensure materials are appropriate across multiple educational settings.
multiple iterative reviews and feedback cycles through the course of material development with input to the authoring team from both project editors and an external assessment team.
real in-class or field camp/course testing of materials in multiple courses with external review of student assessment data.
multiple reviews to ensure the materials meet the GETSI materials rubric which codifies best practices in curricular development, student assessment and pedagogic techniques.
created or reviewed by content experts for accuracy of the science content.

Initial Publication Date: November 8, 2016

Summary

Part of GETSI Field Collection: Geodetic imaging technologies have emerged as critical tools for a range of earth science research applications from hazard assessment to change detection to stratigraphic sequence analysis. In this module students learn to conduct terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and/or Structure from Motion (SfM) surveys to address real field research questions of importance to society. Both geodetic methods generate high resolution topographic data and have widespread research applications in geodesy, geomorphology, structural geology, and more. The module can be implemented in four- to five-day field course or as several weeks of a semester course. Prepared data sets are available for courses unable to collect data directly. Instructors can request support for equipment loans and some types of technical assistance from UNAVCO, which runs NSF's Geodetic Facility.

Show more about Online Teaching suggestions

Webinar about teaching this module: Integrating GPS, SfM, and TLS into Geoscience Field Courses

Strengths of the Module

These materials guide students through designing surveys using TLS and SfM with increasingly higher-order questions as the units progress. Instructors can choose to use either or both methods for developing high resolution topographic models.
Includes units on four geoscience applications of high resolution topographic analysis - stratigraphic, road-cut design, fault scarp, and change detection. Instructors can choose to implement one or more of these application units. Other applications of high resolution topographic analysis are suggested as possibilities for the summative assessment.
Students must articulate the societal importance of analyzing high resolution topography for the different applications, leading to greater engagement and understanding of why these types of studies are undertaken.
Quantitative skills are featured in the survey design of both methods - something often lacking in geoscience field courses.
Teaching resources include a variety tips for successfully implementing the module in real field environments, including ideas for picking field sites and keeping student occupied once in the field.
The skills learned regarding the collection and interpretation of high resolution topographic data are practical in nature and can be valuable to both industry and research applications.
Can be easily used in a summer field camp or in an academic year course with field components. Alternatively, Prepared data sets allow classroom courses to conduct similar analyses, even if they are unable to go into the field.
Prepared data sets »