Introduction to

Drones Applied to

Geophysical Mapping

John Lane, PhD

US Geological Survey

Chief, Hydrogeophysics Branch

jwlane@usgs.gov

1Photo: USGS/Shawn Harrison

Near Surface Technical SectionPost-Conference Workshop

Agenda

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0800-1000 Presentations1000-1020 Break1020-1200 Presentations1200-1300 Lunch1300-1420 Presentations1420-1500 Break1500-1600 Presentations1600-1700 Panel Discussion

Drones: Why the big push now?

• Increased reliability, portability

• Decreased cost

• Sensors are getting smaller, software more

accessible

• FAA Part 107

• Easing of DOI rules and procurement options

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 3

Regulatory Context: FAA

• 2016: FAA Part 107

– Commercial use w/o case-by-

case FAA review

– Remote Pilot exam & license

– Airspace restrictions

– Maximum altitude 400’ AGL

– Visual line of sight

– Daylight operations

– Can’t fly over other people

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Regulatory Context: WhiteHouse

• Federal civil sUAS use

• Safeguard

– Privacy,

– Civil Rights, and

– Civil Liberties

• Platform, not resolution

– Same data collected by

sUAS vs helicopter/plane

subject to different handling

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Sensors for 3DR Solo sUAS

Approved for USGS Use

• Photo/Video

– GoPro Hero 4

• High Resolution Photos

– Ricoh GR

• Thermal IR

– FLIR VUE PRO R

• Multispectral (R,G,B, NIR)

– Micasense Rededge

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 6

Sensors for 3DR Solo

sUAS

• Thermal Infrared

– FLIR VUE PRO R

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 7

Sensors for USGS 3DR

Solo sUAS

• High Resolution Photos

– Ricoh GR

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 8

UAS-enabled Photogrammetry

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 9

FY18 sUAS Hydrogeophysics

Focus

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 10

Sensors for USGS 3DR Solo sUAS

• Multispectral (R,G,B, NIR)

– Micasense Rededge

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 11

UAS Value to

USGS Hydrogeologic Field Studies• Collect Data in difficult/impossible to access areas

• Improved safety

– Data comparable to that collected by foot, boat, or traditional aircraft

• Reduced costs and improved operational efficiencies

– Quickly assess site conditions, inform equipment placement, or

location of sampling and monitoring activities

• High-resolution geo-referenced imagery, 3D elevation models

(DEM), GW/SW Interaction, Biologic Surveys, Hazards

– Inform, constrain, and improve site conceptual, geophysical,

geochemical, biological, and numerical models.

• Automated georeferenced flights aid repeated surveys

– Multiple sensors along the same transects

– Monitoring changing conditions over time

Hydrogeophysics & UAS 12

The Future of UAS?

Geophysical Mapping

• Lidar

• Magnetometer

• EM

• Radar

• Drone Swarms

• Many Others

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Thank You

• SEG Near Surface

Technical Section

(NSTS)

• Laurie Whitesell,

SEG NSTS Liaison

• Ron Bell, IGS

• Speakers

• Attendees

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Hydrogeophysics & UAS 15