LIDAR Seabed Classification

July 2007 - Hydro International Article

LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is a method of detecting distant objects and determining their position or other characteristics by analysis of pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces. Marine LIDAR uses light waves emitted by a laser to determine the distance from the laser to the sea surface and the seabed. While airborne LIDAR is being applied in coastal environments to produce accurate, high resolution bathymetry and topography maps, the reflectivity data can now be used for characterizing seabed material and features.

LIDAR classification parallels that of acoustic seabed classification. Single beam echo sounders generate echo time series for classification while swath sonars generate backscatter images. Bathymetric LIDAR is capable of generating both types of data. Quester Tangent in cooperation with Tenix LADS Corporation and the Geological Survey of Ireland has embarked on a research and development programme to classify LIDAR. Quester Tangent is now happy to offer LIDAR seabed classification processing as service. Please contact us if you are interested in having your LIDAR data processed for seabed classification.

LIDAR Brochure
Recent project from Galway Bay, Ireland
Feature from recent 'Pinger' newsletter
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