Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) datasets for Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

LiDAR data over Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument include Bare Earth Model, DEM, Highest Hit Model, Intensity Images, and LAS datasets. These data were collected as a project for the NPS in the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument site in the fall of 2012. The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument LiDAR project consisted of acquisition, post-processing, classification of LiDAR data and creation of final deliverable products. The goal of the project was to provide high accuracy bare-earth processed data suitable for the project area. All areas were collected with a Leica ALS50 Phase II mounted in a Cessna Caravan. There was an average pulse density of greater than or equal to 8 pulses/m squared over the Sunset Crater LiDAR terrain. All areas were surveyed with an opposing flight line side-lap of greater than or equal to 50 percent, a 100 percent overlap, to reduce laser shadowing and increase surface laser painting. The Leica laser systems record up to four range measurements, returns, per pulse. All discernible laser returns were processed for the output dataset.

To accurately solve for laser point position, the geographic coordinates w, y, z, the positional coordinates of the airborne sensor and the attitude of the aircraft were recorded continuously throughout the LiDAR data collection mission. Position of the aircraft was recorded continuously throughout the LiDAR data collection mission. Position of the aircraft was measured twice per second (2Hz) by an onboard differential GPS unit. Aircraft attitude was measured 200 times per second (200Hz) as pitch, roll, and yaw (heading) from an onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU). To allow for post-processing correction and calibration, aircraft/sensor position and attitude data are indexed by GPS time. The data was processed in the office using a suite of automated and manual techniques to process the data into the requested deliverables. Processing tasks included GPS control computations, kinematic corrections, calculation of laser point position, calibration for optimal relative and absolute accuracy, and classification of ground and non-ground points. The full details can be found in the report attached as a digital holding.