TIP: move the mouse over the map to see all its detail.

These maps are based on the Lidar data measured during the 2012 and 2014 campaigns. In total 271 scans where taken in this very demanding environment, resulting in 12.6 billion scan points. The resulting digital point cloud is extremely detailed and allows for new techniques that we have applied here in this topo. 

• The map contains correct contour lines every five metres and are based on horizontal digital sections of the point cloud. In order to visualise this more clearly, we have assigned a colour map to the contours. This results in a visually attractive map where at a glance the ground relief is obvious.
• There are also precision vertical cross-sections of the giant passages of the Gomantong Caves. Normally this is not possible, as the surveyor cannot possibly view the ceilings in detail at a height of 80 metres. A classic section is therefore always an artistic interpretation. With the lidar, however, we obtain perfect digital sections.  
• And every rock larger than one metre is marked on the map. If you visit the cave, the rock will actually be there.

Let it be clear: there is no magic button to create a cave map, not with the traditional survey methods and not based on T-Lidar data. And as a mater of fact, it takes much more work to create a cave map using the Lidar data simply because there is so much detail available.

A classic cave survey is based on a series of measurements between successive stations. These are: distance, bearing and slope between the stations and additional measurements from the stations to the walls, known as LRUD (Left - Right - Up - Down). In addition to these data, a sketch of the cave is made indicating the stations and all kinds of additional information, e.g. water, speleothems, joints, etc. These sketches are very important and form the base for the final map. The surveyor makes an abstraction of the complex reality of the cave while in the cave. Later, once at home, the surveyor will make a final map using the line drawing and his sketches.

When mapping a cave with a Lidar scanner, this process changes completely. The collection of millions and millions of data points is handled by these wonderful instruments. The operator concentrates on protecting these expensive machines from damage and decides on the next measuring point. The creative process of making the cave map only happens afterwards at home when processing the data with the computer. The same creative process is needed from the mapmaker as before in making an abstraction of the complex reality of the point cloud. This artistic process is now happening behind the computer and not in the cave. This process is certainly not simpler than the "classical" method. An overload of details are available that are normally never see when in the cave because the laser of the lidar sees much further than a caver with his "weak" lights.