Contact

Dr. Moritz Kirsch
Department of Exploration

Phone: 0351 260 - 4439
m.kirsch@hzdr.de

Outcrop and Subsurface Modelling

In order to support geological activities in exploration and mining, this group provides integrated acquisition schemes and processing routines for ground- and drone-based multi-sensor remote sensing techniques. An innovative combination of hyperspectral imaging data and photogrammetric point clouds serve as input for novel machine-learning-based classifications. Surface hyperspectral models are supplemented with subsurface information from geophysical and drill-core data to produce fully 3D mineralogical resource models using innovative interpolation approaches.


3D hypercloud display of three individual HSI image scenes overlain on photogrammetric RGB point cloud of the Corta Atalaya open pit. ©Copyright: Lorenz, Sandra

3D hypercloud display of three individual HSI image scenes overlain on photogrammetric RGB point cloud of the Corta Atalaya open pit, Photo: Sandra Lorenz

Current Research

  • Acquisition schemes, validation approaches and processing routines for ground-based hyperspectral imaging
  • Integration of 3D outcrop and subsurface models
  • Integrated 3D geophysical and geological modeling
  • 3D interpolation of categorical data for resource estimation
  • Publication of relevant case studies to promote the use of non-invasive and socially acceptable exploration technology in the mining industry

Applied Methods

  • Hyperspectral reflectance imaging (HSI) in VNIR, SWIR and LWIR range (0.4 – 11.8 µm)
  • Structure from motion photogrammetry
  • Airborne geophysics
  • Subsurface 3D geo-modelling

Selected Publications

  • Kirsch, M., Lorenz, S., Zimmermann, R., Andreani, L., Tusa, L., Pospiech, S., Jackisch, R., Unger, G., Khodadadzadeh, M., Ghamisi, P., Middleton, M., Ojala, A., Mattila, J., Nordbäck, N., Palmu, J.-P., Ruskeeniemi, T., Sutinen, R., Tiljander, M., Heikkilä, P. and Gloaguen, R.
    Hyperspectral outcrop models for palaeoseismic studies, The Photogrammetric Record, in press.
  • Kirsch, M., Lorenz, S., Zimmermann, R., Tusa, L., Möckel, R., Hödl, P., Booysen, R., Khodadadzadeh, M. and Gloaguen, R. (2018)
    Integration of Terrestrial and Drone-Borne Hyperspectral and Photogrammetric Sensing Methods for Exploration Mapping and Mining Monitoring, Remote Sensing, 10(9), 1366–30 
    DOI: 10.3390/rs10091366
  • Lorenz, S., Salehi, S., Kirsch, M., Zimmermann, R., Unger, G., Vest Sørensen, E. and Gloaguen, R. (2018)
    Radiometric Correction and 3D Integration of Long-Range Ground-Based Hyperspectral Imagery for Mineral Exploration of Vertical Outcrops, Remote Sensing, 10(2), 176–23 
    DOI: 10.3390/rs10020176