The first terrestrial laser scanner application over Vesuvius: High resolution model of a volcano crater

Abstract

This paper deals with terrestrial long‐range laser scanner applications, gives an overview of topics related to this methodology, provides real and tested information about laser scanners, and analyses the reflectance of different materials. After positive results obtained during an experimental test executed in Bologna (Italy) on March 2005, the INGV (Bologna, Italy) and CODEVINTEC srl (Milan, Italy) planned a mission over the Mount Vesuvius volcano (Naples, Italy). For the first time, a wide crater area composed of low reflectivity materials was completely surveyed, creating a very accurate digital surface model. In this work, a long‐range laser scanner was used to create high‐precision surveys that demonstrated very low residual values in scan comparisons. The results lead to the conclusion that this methodology is suitable for surface monitoring proposals.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank several individuals for their significant contributions: Andrea Faccioli (CODEVINTEC, srl), who provided the laser scanner instrumentation; Giordano Teza, for valuable suggestions and the organization of the experiment; Nicola Zaltron, who provided targets for laser efficiency validation; Claudio Tranne, who lent volcanic rocks for the experiment; Vincenzo Sepe and Mario Dolce, who gave permission for the volcano surveying and assistance in GPS measurements and processing; Vilardo Geppim, who provided the CTR cartographic data for the final model generation; and Guido Ventura, who made useful contributions in the areas of crater geology and material descriptions.

Also, a special thank you to Raffaello the alpine guide, who transported all the instrumentation and operators by car almost to the top of the volcano, and to Francesca Quareni for her encouragement.