3D Mapping of Submerged Landscapes: A Cost-Effective Approach to Shallow-Water Bathymetry Using Underwater Photogrammetry

The exploration of seabed topography is of paramount importance for a wide range of scientific and environmental applications. In deep water, sonar or multibeam technology among others are commonly used to map details of the sea floor, but applying these techniques in shallow waters is challenging due to the complex nature of the submerged terrain. Moreover, these techniques are costly and not accessible for small-scale projects. In recent years, underwater photogrammetry emerged as an effective solution for shallow water bathymetric mapping, bridging the gap between land topography and deep-water bathymetric measurements. Photogrammetry also enables a 3D or 4D visual representation of the submerged terrain, habitats, and objects.

Our research proposes a novel approach applying underwater photogrammetry to generate a 3D model of submerged terrain in shallow-waters over rocky coastline. Using underwater photographs and advanced land surveying techniques, we successfully generated a high-resolution, georeferenced 3D model with detailed geospatial maps covering 162 m² at depths ranging from 1 to 5 meters below sea surface of a submerged upper subtidal zone of a rugged, rocky-coast landscape.

The proposed method offers a practical and affordable tool for shallow water bathymetric mapping over subtidal zones in rocky coasts, providing scientists with geospatial maps, measurements and visual representations for applications in marine research, coastal management, habitat monitoring, or underwater archeology.