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Title:
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Development of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) for Galveston Island, Texas |
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Scholar:
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Amy Neuenschwander |
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School:
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University of Texas at Austin |
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Mentor:
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Dr. Gordon Wells |
[View Presentation ( 2.13 MB)] |
During coastal surveys conducted in 2002, the University of Texas at Austin Bureau of Economic Geology collected lidar elevation data for the entire area of Galveston Island using an Optech 1225 Aerial Laser Terrain Mapping System. The focus of this project is to create a fully classified Galveston ALTM dataset that includes separate layers for the ground surface, vegetation and the built environment. One aspect of this research has focused on the refinement of the algorithms necessary to classify the lidar returns into bare ground versus vegetation and/or buildings.
The output from the lidar classification of Galveston Island is a prerequisite for the creation of photorealistic, 3-dimensional visualizations of the environment. The underlying topography as well as the built environment of Galveston Island will provide valuable information for state and federal agencies in response to hurricanes and other natural hazards along the Texas coast.