There are many places on earth that cannot be surveyed with traditional equipment. A land surveyor is not able to dive to the deepest depths of the oceans or climb the highest mountains to map out their characteristics and geography. Many remote regions on our planet are surveyed, however, and how they are mapped include what geologists call remote sensing. This technology enables people to “see” where they normally cannot, and allows for the accounting of every square mile of the planet’s surface.
Technically, remote sensing means acquiring information about an area without physical contact. In other words, advanced technology is deployed to capture the schematics of the remote or dangerous region rather than a human. This is done using propagated signals, such as electromagnetic radiation or laser, and allows geologists and surveyors to create a map from the air, including from an airplane or satellite.
Several tools are employed for different types of remote land surveying. Satellites orbiting the earth’s atmosphere have laser and radar altimeters that measure how gravity causes water to bulge. This information is used to draw out the ocean’s floors. Altimeters can also assess wind direction and speed, which can predict the ocean’s surface currents.
Light Detection and Ranging is known as LIDAR, and this technique measures the height and features of ground objects from the air. LIDAR is more accurate than older radar technology, and helps designers create aerial maps. Aerial photography also aids in the design of topographic imagery and maps, which assist in terrain analysis and habitat features for future development.
These remote sensing tools and many others allow geologists and land surveyors to paint an accurate portrait of the places on earth that are too dangerous for onsite visits. These places, which are off-the-beaten path, must still be tracked, and advanced technology provides the data which can then be turned into visual images needed for environmental and geologic assessment alongside the possibility of future land development.
Technically, remote sensing means acquiring information about an area without physical contact. In other words, advanced technology is deployed to capture the schematics of the remote or dangerous region rather than a human. This is done using propagated signals, such as electromagnetic radiation or laser, and allows geologists and surveyors to create a map from the air, including from an airplane or satellite.
Several tools are employed for different types of remote land surveying. Satellites orbiting the earth’s atmosphere have laser and radar altimeters that measure how gravity causes water to bulge. This information is used to draw out the ocean’s floors. Altimeters can also assess wind direction and speed, which can predict the ocean’s surface currents.
Light Detection and Ranging is known as LIDAR, and this technique measures the height and features of ground objects from the air. LIDAR is more accurate than older radar technology, and helps designers create aerial maps. Aerial photography also aids in the design of topographic imagery and maps, which assist in terrain analysis and habitat features for future development.
These remote sensing tools and many others allow geologists and land surveyors to paint an accurate portrait of the places on earth that are too dangerous for onsite visits. These places, which are off-the-beaten path, must still be tracked, and advanced technology provides the data which can then be turned into visual images needed for environmental and geologic assessment alongside the possibility of future land development.