Holistic 3D Model of an Urban Area in Norway: An Integration of Geophysical, Geotechnical, Remote Sensing, and Geological Methods

Abstract

Understanding the distribution and characterization of natural and non-natural materials on the surface and near-subsurface is important for the development of infrastructure projects. This may be a challenge in highly urbanized areas, where outcrops are scarce, and anthropogenic activities have altered the morphological expression of the landscape. This study tests the integration of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), borehole drilling, aerial imagery, geological mapping, and aerial laser scanning as complementary mapping tools for determining the stratigraphy of glacial and post-glacial Quaternary sediments, the depth to the bedrock, and the distribution of anthropogenic material in Mosvatnet, a lake in Stavanger, Norway. The integration proved to be efficient and enabled the generation of a 3D holistic model, which provided a broad understanding of the subsurface geology and the induced anthropogenic changes in the area through time. Bedrock, till, fluvioglacial, and lacustrine geological units were modeled. Accumulations of post-glacial organic matter were mapped, and the distribution of non-natural infill material was determined. The interpreted dataset suggests that the eastern shoreline of Mosvatnet has artificially prograded about one hundred meters westward since the 1930s and the elevation of the corresponding area has increased by about ten meters relative to the lake level.

Integrated Building Modelling Using Geomatics and GPR Techniques for Cultural Heritage Preservation: A Case Study of the Charles V Pavilion in Seville (Spain)

“…Integration of 3DTLS and GPR data enabled a holistic analysis [ 58 ] of the pavilion’s surface and subsurface features. Co-registration of 3DTLS-derived 3D models with GPR depth slices helped with the correlation of surface features with subsurface anomalies, enhancing our understanding of the pavilion’s architectural layout and subterranean structures.…”

“…Through this interdisciplinary methodology, we have unlocked new insights into the complex relationship between surface structures and subsurface features, enriching our understanding of historical landscapes and archaeological contexts [ 58 , 59 ].…”