Modeling Carter Caves with Structure-from-Motion Photogrammetry: 3-Dimensional Cave Survey

Abstract

Our research project will improve upon traditional cave survey techniques using photogrammetric modeling. Nearly all aspects of karst science and cave management require a map of the system. Hand-drawn survey maps are time intensive and ultimately rely upon the sketcher’s experience. The photogrammetric technique known as Structure-from-Motion (SfM) will produce a high-resolution 3-dimensional model of the cave using multiple overlapping photographic images. X-Cave in Carter Caves State Park will be modeled using this method. This project endeavors to experiment with photogrammetric accuracy in cave survey to assess the validity of photogrammetry as a stand-alone cave-mapping methodology.