Blom bathymetric laser scanning on Gulf of Mexico

08 January 2010, 12:08pm

Blom has signed an agreement with Northrop Grumman to generate new coastal mapping data along the Gulf of Mexico. This will be the first partnership project between Blom and Northrop Grumman, to deliver surveying and mapping services for USACE, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project has immediate start-up and collection of data is scheduled to finish in Q1 2010.

The aerial survey will support the USACE National Coastal Mapping Program, being carried out by the Joint Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) and will generate seamless digital terrain models from both onshore and offshore data, providing important information about the region’s coastal morphology. Specifically, the fine detail generated for large portions of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline though Blom’s LiDAR technology will help monitor coastal structures and navigation channels, and will help identify areas of coastal erosion.

Blom’ aerial bathymetric laser system has been adopted for the project because of its unique ability to gather both underwater bathymetric and topographical LiDAR simultaneously in one aerial pass. This can be used to present an accurate depiction of the contours that bridge the gap between land and sea.

In total, the Gulf of Mexico Bathymetric LiDAR project will cover 950km of coastline between Naples and Tampa, and from Tallahassee to Mobile, taking in access routes to seven major ports.

The project will also enable a full analysis of the coastal environment including underwater vegetation and other habitats along the coast. In addition, the data can be employed to accelerate the availability and accuracy of nautical charting, identifying the shape of the seabed as well as pinpointing the position and exact size of any man-made structures or obstructions.

Blom ASA

Geo: International