6533b830fe1ef96bd12968c3
RESEARCH PRODUCT
High-resolution orthophoto map and digital surface models of the largest Argentine Islands (the Antarctic) from unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry
Jānis KarušsKristaps LamstersJurijs JeškinsMāris Krievānssubject
lcsh:Maps010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciencesAerial surveywilhelm archipelagoGeography Planning and DevelopmentOrthophotoHigh resolution010502 geochemistry & geophysics01 natural sciencesorthomosaicPhotogrammetrywest antarcticalcsh:G3180-9980Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)Ice capsunmanned aerial vehicle (uav)Digital surfaceGeologyice caps0105 earth and related environmental sciencesRemote sensingdescription
This study presents the first high-resolution orthophoto maps and digital surface models (DSMs) of the largest Argentine Islands, West Antarctica. Aerial surveys with small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) were performed in Austral summer, 2018, taking 10,041 aerial photographs. Accuracy requirements were ensured using ground control points (GCPs). A resolution of 3.4 and 6.8 cm/px of orthomosaics and DSMs is reached on average, and the RMS reprojection error is 0.22 m on average. We report the morphometric parameters of surveyed islands and discuss issues related to accuracy and the usage of UAVs in polar conditions. This study demonstrates that small and low cost UAVs can be successfully used in harsh polar conditions to obtain accurate orthomosaics and DSMs of mainly glaciated terrain. We provide all generated materials in full resolution available in a scientific data repository that could be used for the monitoring of ice cap changes, vegetation cover, and wildlife populations.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-04-07 | Journal of Maps |