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High-definition topographic and geophysical data in geosciences

Recent technological developments in high-definition or high-resolution data collection of earth surface topography and geophysical properties have led to advances in measuring earth surface processes and dynamics. 
The theory, acquisition, processing, modeling and analysis of such high-definition data are progressing rapidly. Furthermore, there is increasing demand for well-documented datasets and open-source tools, which are crucial for further advances in geoscience and instrumentation. With such advances, numerous solutions will be provided for issues in human geosciences, such as geomorphological or hydrological responses to environmental changes, tectonic or volcanic surface and subsurface deformations, submarine morphology and ecology, conservation of archaeological and cultural heritage, and more effective disaster controls.

This SPEPS article collection presents innovative research papers and review articles on high-definition topographic and geophysical data. The papers include contributions on both the technical issues of data measurement, processing, and analysis as well as geoscientific applications of high-definition topographic and geophysical data.

  1. Glacial recession in Alpine Valleys uncorks low-altitude tributary valleys that spill trapped sediments in the sediment cascade, in turn generating sediment-related hazards and flood hazards. Within this compl...

    Authors: Christopher Gomez and Heather Purdie
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2018 5:50
  2. We conducted topographic measurements using unmanned aerial vehicles and by terrestrial laser scanning at inaccessible sea cliffs with an overhanging complex shape in eastern Japan. From the repeated measureme...

    Authors: Hiroyuki Obanawa and Yuichi S. Hayakawa
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2018 5:33
  3. Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and structure-from-motion multi-view stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry have attracted a tremendous amount of interest for use in the creation of high-definition topographic data fo...

    Authors: Hitoshi Saito, Shoichiro Uchiyama, Yuichi S. Hayakawa and Hiroyuki Obanawa
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2018 5:15
  4. Rapid technological advances, sustained funding, and a greater recognition of the value of topographic data have helped develop an increasing archive of topographic data sources. Advances in basic and applied ...

    Authors: Thad Wasklewicz, Zhen Zhu and Paul Gares
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2017 4:32
  5. This paper describes a remotely operated investigation system developed by combining a modern leisure-use fish finder and an unmanned watercraft to survey water bottom topography and other data related to bott...

    Authors: Shintaro Yamasaki, Tomonori Tabusa, Shunsuke Iwasaki and Masahiro Hiramatsu
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2017 4:25
  6. A small mud volcano in Murono, Niigata Prefecture, north-central Japan, shows active ground surface displacements, not only when large earthquakes occur in the region but also during quiescent periods between ...

    Authors: Yuichi S. Hayakawa, Shigekazu Kusumoto and Nobuhisa Matta
    Citation: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science 2017 4:3