Geologic field mapping has traditionally been a low-technology process, limited by time in the field and a delicate balance between data collection and coverage area. Advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and software packages offer new tools and techniques for collecting high volume, accurate geologic information. These tools can provide geologists with safe and efficient ways to collect and process greater volumes of field data.
Field data for this study was collected from three open pit mines using a Trimble Geo 7X GPS unit with Geo 7 Series Rangefinder module and a Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 UAS. The GPS was used to collect survey data from bedding contacts and other geologic features along the highwalls with centimeter-level accuracy. UAS flight data generated a detailed 3-dimensional (3D) model of the rock faces at each mine. A composite model was created using geologic survey data and 3D models that could then be used by mine personnel to identify potential hazards, calculate volumes, predict ore quality, and plan production. These results demonstrate efficient, effective, and safe methods of collecting, analyzing, and communicating geologic data using GPS and UAS technologies in geologic investigations.
","abstract_html":"<p>Geologic field mapping has traditionally been a low-technology process, limited by time in the field and a delicate balance between data collection and coverage area. Advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and software packages offer new tools and techniques for collecting high volume, accurate geologic information. These tools can provide geologists with safe and efficient ways to collect and process greater volumes of field data.</p> <p>Field data for this study was collected from three open pit mines using a Trimble Geo 7X GPS unit with Geo 7 Series Rangefinder module and a Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 UAS. The GPS was used to collect survey data from bedding contacts and other geologic features along the highwalls with centimeter-level accuracy. UAS flight data generated a detailed 3-dimensional (3D) model of the rock faces at each mine. A composite model was created using geologic survey data and 3D models that could then be used by mine personnel to identify potential hazards, calculate volumes, predict ore quality, and plan production. These results demonstrate efficient, effective, and safe methods of collecting, analyzing, and communicating geologic data using GPS and UAS technologies in geologic investigations.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Whitenburg, Luke"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Science - Geology","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Geology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Melinda Faulkner","Dr. LaRell Nielson","Dr. Zachariah Fleming"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-05-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-05-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:45Z","subjects":["Face mapping","Unmanned aircraft systems","Global positioning system","Mines","Mapping","Geology"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/551","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Melinda Faulkner","Dr. LaRell Nielson","Dr. Zachariah Fleming"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Whitenburg, Luke"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2024-05-10T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Geology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science - Geology"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Face mapping","Unmanned aircraft systems","Global positioning system","Mines","Mapping","Geology"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/551"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Geologic field mapping has traditionally been a low-technology process, limited by time in the field and a delicate balance between data collection and coverage area. Advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and software packages offer new tools and techniques for collecting high volume, accurate geologic information. These tools can provide geologists with safe and efficient ways to collect and process greater volumes of field data.
Field data for this study was collected from three open pit mines using a Trimble Geo 7X GPS unit with Geo 7 Series Rangefinder module and a Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 UAS. The GPS was used to collect survey data from bedding contacts and other geologic features along the highwalls with centimeter-level accuracy. UAS flight data generated a detailed 3-dimensional (3D) model of the rock faces at each mine. A composite model was created using geologic survey data and 3D models that could then be used by mine personnel to identify potential hazards, calculate volumes, predict ore quality, and plan production. These results demonstrate efficient, effective, and safe methods of collecting, analyzing, and communicating geologic data using GPS and UAS technologies in geologic investigations.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Geologic Face Mapping Methodology Utilizing Global Positioning Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Dr. Melinda Faulkner","Dr. LaRell Nielson","Dr. Zachariah Fleming"],"dc:creator":["Whitenburg, Luke"],"dc:date.available":["2024-05-10T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Geologic field mapping has traditionally been a low-technology process, limited by time in the field and a delicate balance between data collection and coverage area. Advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and software packages offer new tools and techniques for collecting high volume, accurate geologic information. These tools can provide geologists with safe and efficient ways to collect and process greater volumes of field data.
Field data for this study was collected from three open pit mines using a Trimble Geo 7X GPS unit with Geo 7 Series Rangefinder module and a Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 UAS. The GPS was used to collect survey data from bedding contacts and other geologic features along the highwalls with centimeter-level accuracy. UAS flight data generated a detailed 3-dimensional (3D) model of the rock faces at each mine. A composite model was created using geologic survey data and 3D models that could then be used by mine personnel to identify potential hazards, calculate volumes, predict ore quality, and plan production. These results demonstrate efficient, effective, and safe methods of collecting, analyzing, and communicating geologic data using GPS and UAS technologies in geologic investigations.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/551"],"dc:subject":["Face mapping","Unmanned aircraft systems","Global positioning system","Mines","Mapping","Geology"],"dc:title":["Geologic Face Mapping Methodology Utilizing Global Positioning Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Geology"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Science - Geology"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:45Z"}