Vamos à la Playa !
Back to school for all but the Viametris MS-96 that has decided to extend the summer. Not to enjoy the last rays of sunshine before the next edition of Intergeo, but to demonstrate its ability to scan all types of terrain and environments, including beaches. With 620,000 kilometers of coastline in the world, a large part of which is made up of beaches, these natural spaces are both places of relaxation and sensitive areas to monitor and protect. Thanks to the MS-96, surveyors and topographers now have a modular and high-performance tool to measure, analyze and preserve shorelines in the face of climate challenges. Let’s find out how this technology is being put to the service of nature.
What is the point of scanning a beach?
Scanning a beach with a mobile laser scanner like the MS-96 from Viametris has many advantages in fields such as geomatics, environment and land use planning. Here is a review of the main applications:
1. Create a precise and detailed map
The Viametris MS-96 captures topographic data with high accuracy. This includes landforms, elevation variations and geomorphological features of the beach. This data is essential for creating detailed 3D maps, which can be used for scientific studies, development projects or coastal management.
2. Monitor erosion and coastal changes
Beaches are often subject to erosion, sand movements, and other natural or human-induced changes. Regular 3D scanning allows these phenomena to be monitored over time, to identify areas at risk, and to plan preventive interventions, particularly due to climate change. In Europe, one fifth of beaches and cliffs – or 20,000 kilometers – are affected by erosion, with countries such as Poland, Latvia, Cyprus and Greece being the most affected. In the Pacific, there are approximately 3 million inhabitants of the area living less than 10 kilometers from the coast.
3. Coastal development
The data obtained can be used to plan and optimize coastal development, whether for the construction of new infrastructure (such as dikes or promenades) or for ecological restoration projects. They also make it possible to assess the impact of these developments on the environment.
4. Modeling for Simulations
3D scans make it possible to create digital models of the terrain, which can then be used for simulations, for example to model the impact of tides, storms, or climate change on the beach. This helps to better understand coastal dynamics and anticipate risks.
5. Tourism and Promotion
In addition to its technical applications, a 3D scan of a beach can also be used for tourism promotion purposes. Interactive 3D models can be integrated into online platforms to offer potential visitors an immersive experience of the destination.
6. Accessibility and inclusion
3D scans can help plan infrastructure to improve beach accessibility (ramps, parking, etc.), especially for people with reduced mobility. This helps create more inclusive and functional public spaces. A good example is the ERMIS II project, supported by the European Union, which made beaches in Cyprus and Greece accessible to all with the installation of a device comprising a remote-controlled wheelchair on a rail that allows people with reduced mobility to arrive directly into the water.
https://youtu.be/tL-r_1PlCXQ?feature=shared
[Fun Facts about beaches]
The longest
Cox’s Bazar Beach in Bangladesh is the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in the world, stretching for about 120 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal. The country’s top tourist destination, it is renowned for its gentle waves and spectacular sunsets.
The most photographed
There’s no doubt that a photo of this beach has made an appearance on your computer screen at some point! The most photographed beach in the world is often considered to be Anse Source d’Argent, located on the island of La Digue in the Seychelles. Bright white sand, crystal clear waters and pink granite rock formations, and its particularly photogenic landscape make it an iconic location for photographers around the world, frequently appearing in travel magazines, postcards and advertisements.
The most legendary
The most legendary, but also the most frequented in the world probably remains that of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Filmed, sung, venerated… this emblematic beach attracts millions of visitors each year, especially during holiday periods and during major events such as New Year’s Eve, the Rio Carnival but also during gigantic shows like that of the Stones in 2006. Recently, Madonna performed a colossal concert there in front of 1.5 million spectators!
