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Ground classification

Definition

The algorithmic process (e.g., using LAStools or PDAL) that separates ground-surface returns from non-ground returns in a LiDAR point cloud, enabling bare-earth DTM generation.

Related terms

Bare-earth DTM
A digital terrain model produced by filtering LiDAR returns to ground-level pulses only, removing vegetation and structure returns. The resulting surface represents...
LiDAR
Light Detection and Ranging: an active remote-sensing method that emits laser pulses and records the time-of-flight of returning echoes to produce a...
Micro-topography
Small-scale (centimetre to metre) variations in ground surface height. Grave mounding, subsidence hollows, and soil-scrape scars are micro-topographic features typically invisible to...
Point cloud
The raw data product of a LiDAR survey: a set of 3D coordinates (X, Y, Z) for each laser return, classified by...
SfM point cloud
A 3D point cloud derived from overlapping photographs using Structure from Motion photogrammetry. Achieves similar resolution to terrestrial LiDAR at close range...

Explained in

  • LiDAR and Topographic SurveyThe algorithmic process (e.g., using LAStools or PDAL) that separates ground-surface returns from non-ground returns in a LiDAR point cloud, enabling bare-eart...

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