A plane flew over Anegada repeatedly on Jan. 18 and 21, using a new type of technology to map the sister island’s geology.
Virgin Islands officials said the territory will benefit from the exercise, which was facilitated by the United States Geological Survey.
Researchers aboard the plane used a Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) system to survey the landscape below. Lidar employs a laser, scanner and specialised GPS receiver to record light bouncing off the terrain and create three-dimensional models.
The process is similar to the method by which radars use radio waves to determine range, altitude, direction and speed, according to Government Information Services.
In carrying out the survey, the USGS worked in conjunction with the Puget Sound Lidar Consortium and the contractor for the project, Quantum Spatial.
The USGS has conducted extensive research on Anegada over the past few years to gather geological evidence of tsunami events.
The Department of Disaster Management welcomed the new survey.
“The Lidar data would provide the most up-to-date topographic information available for any of the islands,” DDM Technical Planning Officer Christopher Williams said. “The data can be used to facilitate more effective disaster management planning and better designs for development planning.”
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