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.