LiDAR
- [A lidar map of Lynnhaven Inlet, Virginia - NOAA]
- Overview
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method used to inspect the Earth's surface.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of pulsed laser light to measure range (variable distance) to Earth. These pulses of light are combined with other data recorded by onboard systems to generate precise three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface features.
A LiDAR instrument consists primarily of a laser, a scanner, and a dedicated GPS receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most common platforms for acquiring large-scale LiDAR data. There are two types of LiDAR: terrain radar and bathymetry radar. Terrain LiDAR typically uses near-infrared lasers to map land, while bathymetry LiDAR also uses water-permeable green light to measure seafloor and river bed elevations.
[More to come ...]
