| Title | Landform mapping, elevation modelling, and thaw subsidence estimation for permafrost terrain using a consumer-grade remotely-piloted aircraft |
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| Author | Oldenborger, G A ;
Bellehumeur-Génier, O; McMartin, I; LeBlanc, A -M |
| Source | Drone Systems and Applications vol. 10, no. 1, 2022 p. 309-329, https://doi.org/10.1139/dsa-2021-0045  Open Access |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2022 |
| Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20210472 |
| Publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf; html |
| Province | Nunavut |
| NTS | 55N/01; 55O/04; 55K/16; 55J/13 |
| Area | Rankin Inlet |
| Lat/Long WENS | -92.4575 -92.0356 62.9647 62.7811 |
| Subjects | Science and Technology; Nature and Environment; permafrost; drones |
| Illustrations | location maps; photographs; satellite imagery; diagrams |
| Program | Climate Change
Geoscience Permafrost |
| Released | 2022 06 01 |
| Abstract | We assess performance of a small consumer-grade remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA) for landform mapping, elevation modelling, and thaw subsidence estimation in continuous permafrost terrain. We acquired
RPA imagery near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, to construct orthomosaics and digital elevation models (DEMs) that we use to interpret geomorphology and surficial geology. We estimate seasonal thaw subsidence using DEM differences. To quantify accuracy, RPA
DEMs are compared with a satellite-based reference elevation. Subsidence estimates are compared with measurements from differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR). We find that RPA images are very effective for mapping periglacial
landforms and surficial geology with the chosen flight specifications. The DEMs exhibit vertical mean absolute error of approximately 1 cm at ground control points. Away from control points, relative vertical accuracy is approximately 3 cm.
Comparison to the reference elevation results in survey-wide vertical mean absolute errors of 33–66 cm with high variability and spatial autocorrelation of elevation discrepancy. There is local agreement between DEM differences, DInSAR, and
on-the-ground measurements of seasonal subsidence. Results suggest that small RPA may be applicable for mapping thaw subsidence on the order of a few centimetres near control points. However, DEM differences are influenced by vegetation and are
contaminated by spatially-variable artefacts, preventing reliable survey-wide RPA estimation of seasonal thaw subsidence. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) can be useful for studies of permafrost. We assess the performance of a small and portable consumer-grade RPA for
landform mapping, elevation modelling, and thaw subsidence estimation for permafrost terrain. The RPA was used to create high-resolution aerial imagery and digital elevation models (DEM) at existing remote permafrost study sites near Rankin Inlet,
Nunavut. The RPA images and DEM are very effective for landform mapping, surficial geological mapping and interpretation of permafrost conditions. Accuracy of the RPA DEM is spatially variable, but is highest near surveyed control points. Results
suggest that consumer-grade RPA may be applicable for mapping thaw subsidence with careful considerations of potential errors. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 329334 |
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