AERIAL SPELEOLOGY: USING HYPERSPATIAL UAV IMAGERY TO IDENTIFY KARST RESOURCES IN SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO

SWCA Environmental Consultants in collaboration with Southwest Geophysical Consulting has developed and implemented a novel approach to identifying karst features in open landscapes using imagery collected by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). High quality imaging, photogrammetry, and digital terrain analysis has produced survey results that complement pedestrian ground survey for the rapid identification of karst features. A proof of concept for the method is presented from work completed on BLM land in Eddy County, New Mexico. Aerial photography was conducted over the well-known Park’s Ranch cave system, and previously unidentified features that may link with this system were identified. Many other types of karst features were also identified, and examples of the ortho imagery, colorized point clouds, and terrain analysis are presented. While UAV survey for karst features may not be appropriate in all environments, it is a perfect fit for the large open spaces of southeast New Mexico, with 100s of square kilometers available for this type of work.