Using a drone to map shallow areas after Kaikoura Earthquake | iXblue

Описание: After a powerful M7.8 earthquake shook North Canterbury, New Zealand in 2016, iXblue was contracted by LINZ to perform detailed seafloor mapping to update nautical charts.

To aid with our survey of the Kaikoura region, we used a fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS, or “drone”) to map the “white zones”. These are the areas which are too shallow to map using conventional hydrographic surveying methods (sensors mounted on vessels). The white zones are usually left uncharted, or are charted approximately, which can have serious consequences for near-shore navigation. A bird’s eye view of the white zones can therefore be of great value.

With over 70 Ha covered per flight, UAS-based photogrammetry is extremely productive, while the on-demand nature of UAS imagery means that the recorded data is contemporaneous - another advantage of drones over satellites.

For more detail of this extraordinary exercise, see https://survey.ixblue.com/kaikoura-se...

iXblue provides hydrographic surveys in accordance with stringent International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) standards or equivalent.

Our teams of highly experienced and accredited hydrographers conduct surveys globally for Government agencies, the Oil & Gas, Energy, Telecommunications and Marine Renewables sectors.

Accurate surveying is crucial for the production of nautical charts that are relied upon by mariners around the world for safe navigation and protection of the marine environment.

Our team has extensive experience in the planning, collection, processing and reporting of data needed to meet the strict guidelines set by government hydrographic authorities.

Since 2008 we have provided nautical charting services to Land Information New Zealand. With the award of eight major projects, we’ve surveyed over 30,000 Nm with high resolution multi-beam echo sounder and delivered quality data for the production of official New Zealand nautical charts.