RST method with simultaneous topographic analysis was applied to several types of data used for characterization of nearshore and coastal environment:

• LIDAR: Jockey's ridge. The surface was interpolated and its geometry was analyzed using different data densities and interpolation parameters and simultaneous computation of gradients and curvatures at various levels of detail. The results demonstrate the flexibility of the RST to adjust its properties to the required level of detail. The possibilities to improve the performance were identified and the solutions are being tested with the goal to speed-up the computation for high density data points. The 3D view of Jockey's Ridge with draped IR-DOQQ were created using GRASS tool NVIZ.

• LARC and from RTKS measurements were interpolated and curvatures were computed to evaluate the RST capabilities to generate surfaces from profile data with directional oversampling. The anisotropy is being implemented so that the interpolation parameters can be set to preserve the maximum detail in the profile data. The shoreline data from december (orange) and january (blue) were visualized in NVIZ to visualy assess the eroding shoreline (orange areas have eroded, blue have gained). Spheres show the measurements performed by Tom Drake and Dave Bernstein.

                

      Technology Transfer

Multi-scale characterization and simulation of near-shore environment using Open source GIS technology. Dr. Helena Mitasova, NCSU