Creating a Methodology to Elaborate High-Resolution Digital Outcrop for Virtual Reality Models with Hyperspectral and LIDAR Data

Abstract

Outcrops are essential for geological interpretation on the surface, with the advancement of technology, outcrops can also be studied in the office through three-dimensional outcrop models. Photogrammetry and laser scanning techniques allow the creation of a three-dimensional digital outcrop model (DOM) for out-of-field analysis. Virtual reality technology is a human-computer interface that allows direct user interaction with a virtual environment. In geosciences, virtual reality (VR) is currently widely used to overcome difficulties encountered in the field, the quality of the analysis increases by allowing the collection of a greater number of qualitative and quantitative data in the office. The combination of DOM and RV is used in geosciences to make data extraction more accurate and intuitive for the geologist, but photogrammetry and LIDAR data can reach millions of points and present an excessive density for processing when collected on large scales by airborne platforms. Although some areas of science such as engineering have techniques for optimizing 3D models, geosciences do not yet have an optimization protocol that allows integration between DOM and VR without loss of relevant resolution aspects for geological interpretation. Given the present scenario, the proposal of this project is to develop a valid and replicable method for creating and optimizing a high-resolution three-dimensional outcrop model, using LIDAR and hyperspectral readings of the mining front of the Au Córrego do Sítio deposit as a database.