Enhanced Surf Zone and Wave Runup Observations with Hovering Drone-Mounted Lidar

Abstract We demonstrate that a hovering, drone-mounted laser scanner (lidar) paired with survey-grade satellite and inertial positioning system measures the wave transformation across surf zone resulting runup accuracy almost equal to stationary truck-mounted terrestrial lidar. The drone, multirotor small uncrewed aircraft (sUAS), provides unobstructed measurements by hovering above at 20-m elevation while scanning surfaces along 150-m-wide cross-shore transect. drone enables rapid data collection in remote locations where may not be possible. Allowing for battery changes, about 17 min of can acquired every 25 several hours. Observations were collected wide ( H s = 2.2 m) narrow 0.8 zone, are validated traditional land-based survey techniques an array buried pressure sensors. Thorough postprocessing yields stable ) back beach topography estimate comparable lidar ). Statistical properties values calculated, as well bathymetry inversions using relatively simple nonlinear correction crest phase speed illustrating utility drone-based observations nearshore processes.