USING 3-DIMENSIONAL POINT CLOUD DATA TO MAP CAVE AND KARST FEATURES

Planning for groundwater systems requires careful consideration of sensitive features and critical ecosystem or habitat conservation needs. In Central Texas, the karst and limestone landscapes are home to a range of species, such as salamanders and cave spiders. Most Texans are unfamiliar with the cave environments that are home to these creatures and form the principle flow conduits in aquifer systems. To improve understanding of cave and karst systems, new tools for 3D mapping and point cloud data analysis are useful approaches to documenting and visualizing these systems that are otherwise out of sight. 3D scanning technology and digital tools for processing point cloud data are improving rapidly. Recent hardware advances make 3D mapping more accessible and portable, expanding the possible range of use cases. Currently available technologies enable rapid 3D scanning in extreme environments, like caves. The smallest form factor is the Structure Sensor which allows quick scanning in small spaces, yet the point density is limited. Whereas the Kinect offers denser data but requires more hardware (e.g. laptop, external battery, and camera) to operate.This study presents results of pilot efforts to test 3D mapping equipment in two central Texas caves, Inner Space and Cascade Caverns. Datasets are available in a public repository along with 3D printable files. Potential uses for the data are wide ranging and can include incorporation into augmented reality games or use with immersive technologies like the hololens for educational as well as scientific edification. Improved communication about karst features in aquifers is critical to effective management for the future.