ANALYSIS OF PHASE-BASED LASER SCANNER DATA DEGRADATION IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

New laser scanning technology allows for rapid, high-resolution surveys a wide variety of features of geologic interest, including for example outcrops, zones of differential subsidence, and beach face elevations. In this study the two common laser scanning methods, one based on phase-shift in the laser pulse, the other in time-of-flight of a laser pulse, are evaluated for their use in studying the active beach shoreline. Spec sheets define phase-shift scanners to be less than ideal for outdoor scans, particularly in day-time. We examine the degradation of of the phase-shift scanner signal in situations with increasing amounts of sunlight. We describe specific scenarios where outdoor scans are still more than adequately detailed by phase-shift scans.